SAN DIEGO–An 80-year-old man from North County is the third influenza death reported in San Diego this season, the County Health and Human Services Agency said Wednesday.
The man died Nov. 1. He had been vaccinated and had underlying medical conditions.
“Influenza can be deadly, especially for those with underlying medical conditions,” said Wilma Wooten, M.D., M.P.H., County public health officer. “Our condolences go out to the man’s family and friends.”
Last week, a total of 58 lab-confirmed flu cases were reported in San Diego County, nearly doubling the 30 cases that were confirmed the previous week. To date, a total of 420 influenza cases have been reported in the region, more than double the 157 cases that had been reported at the same time last year.
“The higher number of cases is an indication that influenza activity is increasing in the region,” Wooten added. “If you have not gotten a flu shot, do it now. The vaccine is here and readily available.”
To date, three San Diegans have died from influenza this season, compared to one death at the same time last year. Last season, 77 people in the region died from complications from the flu and 9,655 lab-confirmed cases were reported. That was down from the previous season’s 343 deaths and 20,833 lab-confirmed cases.
The County Health and Human Services Agency publishes the Influenza Watch weekly report, which tracks key flu indicators and summarizes influenza surveillance in the region. The report is released every Wednesday during the flu season.