First recorded flu-related death this season reported in Santa Clara County
SANTA CLARA, Calif. (KGO) -- The first flu-related death of this season has been recorded in Santa Clara County.
The Health Department says the person was 39-years-old. They don't know if he or she had been vaccinated. But, the person did have other medical conditions that increased the risk for severe complications from the flu.
Dr. George Han, the Santa Clara County Deputy Health Officer, said, "flu can affect anyone. Anyone can become seriously ill or even die from the flu. So it's really important for everyone to be vaccinated."
The next day, San Francisco reported its first flu related death. It was a person under 65 years of age with underlying conditions.
Dr. Julie Stoltey, director of Communicable Disease and Prevention in San Francisco, said that the most vulnerable people are children, pregnant women and the elderly, but symptoms can be severe even in healthy adults.
We know that the flu has the potential to be deadly. In most cases it will cause a moderate illness, but in people who are at the highest risk you can have really severe complications," said Stoltey.
Health experts say it's not too late to get vaccinated, since flu season usually peaks in February. The best way to prevent the spread of the flu is for sick people to stay home from work or school, wash your hands frequently and cover your mouth when you cough.
The Centers for Disease Control estimates 80,000 people of all ages died of the flu last season.
