SAN DIEGO–County Health and Human Services Agency is urging the public to get a flu shot before attending any holiday event.
“The flu can spread easily when large groups of people gather at holiday parties or family events,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “Vaccination is the best protection against influenza. Get a flu shot now to avoid getting sick and infecting others.”
Last season, 342 San Diegans died from complications from the flu, the highest total since the County began tracking flu deaths nearly 20 years ago. The majority of those who died last season were over the age of 65, had underlying medical conditions and had not been vaccinated. Two children also died from influenza last year.
The County Health and Human Services Agency publishes the weekly Influenza Watch report, which tracks key flu indicators and summarizes influenza surveillance in the region. All other indicators are at expected levels for this time of year.
For the week ending Dec. 1, 2018, the Influenza Watch reports that emergency department visits for influenza-like illness was three percent of all visits compared to three percent the previous week.
Lab-confirmed influenza cases for the week was 106 compared to 108 the previous week and total influenza deaths to date were two compared to four at this time last season.
Total lab-confirmed cases to date were 463 compared to 856 last season.