Indiana Has 25 More Flu-Related Deaths This Season

ACROSS INDIANA — The latest influenza report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Indiana State Department of Health (ISDH) report more than two-dozen more flu-related deaths in Indiana during the last week of February. That brings us to 244 deaths this flu season, up from 219 since the last report. Indiana's flu activity is at the highest, widespread level, as the CDC says we are in the peak of flu season.

According to the report, there have now been 102 long-term care facility outbreaks this season, up from 98 since last week.
State health officials report the following number of flu-related deaths per county, with Marion and Hamilton being in the top three highest:

• Adams: 8
• Allen: 20
• Boone: 6
• Dekalb: 5
• Elkhart : 5
• Floyd: 10
• Grant: 7
• Hamilton: 11
• Johnson: 6
• Lake: 10
• Madison: 5
• Marion: 18
• Morgan: 9
• Shelby: 6
• St. Joseph: 7
• Tippecanoe: 5
• Vanderburgh: 8

The report says 183 of the deaths have involved people age 65 and older, 40 have been in the 50-64 age group, 12 deaths have been among people ages 25 to 49, six in the 5-24 age group, and three in the group of children ages 4 and under - an increase in all age groups since last week.

ISDH says people who are experiencing flu-like symptoms should contact their physician or visit an urgent care facility to keep emergency rooms available for people who are critically ill. Patients whose symptoms began within 48 hours are encouraged to ask their provider whether Tamiflu, an antiviral medication, is appropriate.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone age six months and older get a flu vaccine each year.

Hoosiers can help prevent the spread of flu by practicing the "Three Cs" of infection prevention:

• Clean: Properly wash your hands frequently with warm, soapy water.
• Cover: Cover your cough and sneeze into your arm or a disposable tissue.
• Contain: Stay home when you are sick to keep your germs from spreading.

Common symptoms of the flu include:

• Headache
• Fatigue
• Cough
• Muscle aches
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose

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More information: ISDH weekly flu report, ISDH website

Photo credit: Darron Cummings/Associated Press