Flu claims 14 more lives in California

[tetano]

Fourteen more people under the age of 65 have died of the flu in California as of March 7th, pushing the death toll for the 2013-2014 flu season to 332 statewide, according to the California Department of Public Health (CDPH).

The number of deaths this season, fueled mostly by the potent H1N1 influenza virus, is more than three times the total number of deaths reported for the entire flu season last year, state health officials say.

H1N1 was responsible for the 2009-10 pandemic that claimed 539 lives in California.

Another 19 deaths are suspected to be flu-related and are under investigation, the CDPH reports.


Still, the number of deaths is declining each week, bolstering health officials' belief that the epidemic peaked several weeks ago.

Most of those who have died suffered from other medical problems. Seven were children.

http://www.scpr.org/news/2014/03/14/42806/flu-claims-14-more-lives-in-california/

[tetano]

Re: Flu claims 14 more lives in California

Confirmed Flu Deaths Reported in State Reach 332

SACRAMENTO

Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the California Department of Public Health (CDPH) and state health officer, announced today the number of confirmed influenza-related deaths in persons under 65 years of age reported in the state has increased by 14, to a total of 332 confirmed deaths for the 2013-14 flu season. Seven of the 332 are pediatric deaths. There are an additional 19 deaths under investigation and not yet confirmed.

The 332 confirmed influenza-associated deaths this season have been reported by the following jurisdictions: Alameda (7), Butte (1), Calaveras (2), Contra Costa (7), El Dorado (2), Fresno (22), Glenn (1), Humboldt (1), Imperial (2), Kern (9), Kings (7), Lake (1), Lassen (1), Long Beach (7), Los Angeles (54), Madera (3), Marin (2), Mendocino (4), Merced (5), Monterey (5), Nevada (1), Orange (15), Riverside (15), Sacramento (27), San Bernardino (23), San Diego (30), San Francisco (3), San Joaquin (7), San Luis Obispo (1), San Mateo (6), Santa Barbara (3), Santa Clara (18), Santa Cruz (3), Shasta (3), Siskiyou (2), Solano (3), Sonoma (6), Stanislaus (13), Sutter (1), Tulare (4), Tuolumne (1), Ventura (3) and Yolo (1).

By this time last year, CDPH had received reports of 47 influenza fatalities in persons under 65 years of age. In the entire 2012-13 flu season 106 deaths were reported.

The great majority of reported influenza deaths in persons under 65 years of age have occurred in people with underlying medical conditions. Outpatient visits and hospitalizations are at or below expected baseline levels for this time of year. The influenza-season activity status remains local.

Those at highest risk - the elderly, pregnant women, infants, or those with other health conditions - who have flu symptoms should contact their physician promptly in order to get the most effective treatment. Symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue.

Influenza vaccine remains available and there is no widespread shortage of anti-virals for treatment. CDPH continues to closely monitor statewide influenza activity and resources.

Visit a flu vaccine location near you to get immunized. Some local health departments may also offer free or low-cost immunizations.

More information on influenza and other respiratory disease surveillance reports can be found on the CDPH website.

http://www.cdph.ca.gov/Pages/PH14-031.aspx