First Solano Co. Flu Death Of Season Reported

SOLANO COUNTY, CA — The first flu-related death of the 2017-2018 influenza season in Solano County has been confirmed, Solano County public health officials said Tuesday. Officials say it is the first reported influenza-associated death in the county of a person under 65 years old.

"The individual had a medical condition that put them at risk for severe illness," Dr. Bela Matyas, MD, MPH, Solano County Health Officer and Health and Social Services Deputy Director stated in a news release. "We offer our deepest sympathies to the individual’s loved ones."

The county told Patch it is not disclosing the person's age, gender or city of residence.

In California, flu-associated deaths of those under 65 are reportable. As of Dec. 30, 2017, 27 such deaths had been reported in the state.

Influenza is currently widespread throughout the state, with Influenza A(H3N2) viruses predominating this season, according to the California Department of Public Health.

Influenza activity normally peaks in December through February and may continue until May. In most people, influenza causes a relatively mild illness, but it can be a severe infection that results in hospitalization and even death.

The start of this season is at levels usually seen at the peak of the influenza season, with significantly higher office visits and hospitalizations for flu-like symptoms, which suggests it may be more severe than usual, public health officials say.

“This unfortunate incident serves as a reminder that the flu can be deadly, especially for people at high risk for severe disease. We all need to take appropriate precautions against getting the flu,” Matyas said. “Vaccination is still the best protection to protect ourselves, our families, and our community from the flu. While it is not 100 percent effective against the flu, the vaccine still reduces the severity of the illness. Being vaccinated from the flu significantly lessens the risk of flu-associated hospitalizations and deaths.”

Annual flu vaccines are recommended for everyone 6 months of age or older. People at high risk of complications from influenza include children younger than 5, adults over 65, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions such as heart disease, lung disease, diabetes, or weakened immune systems.

Flu shots are still available in Solano County and it is not too late to get vaccinated, officials said. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for antibodies to develop in the body and provide protection against influenza virus infection fully. Vaccine effectiveness does vary for the different strains each year. Data will be available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in February about vaccine effectiveness.

Solano County Health and Social Services will be providing free flu shots from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27 at the KROC Center, 586 East Wigeon Way, in Suisun City. Other locations offering influenza vaccines are listed at VaccineFinder.org.

In addition to getting vaccinated, other suggested ways to fight the flu include: avoiding close contact with sick people; washing your hands often with soap and water or an alcohol-based hand rub and rub your hands together well; and while sick, limiting contact with others as much as possible (the CDC recommends staying home for at least 24 hours after the fever is gone except to get medical care or for other necessities).

Public health officials say anyone who experiences severe symptoms such as trouble breathing, pain or pressure in the chest or abdomen, difficulty eating or drinking, or confusion should contact their health care provider or seek emergency care.

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