State reports first influenza death

The state reported its first death from influenza for the 2020-2021 flu season.  The death was reported in an individual in his or her 80’s in Potter County.  

State epidemiologist Dr. Joshua Clayton said that it’s not too late to get vaccinated for this flu season, and encouraged residents to do so.

Clayton said that flu activity in communities across the state is classified as sporadic. In addition to one death, the state is reporting four lab-confirmed cases of flu and two flu-related hospitalizations.

Each year, an average of 48 deaths in the state are reported to the state Department of Health following influenza infections. To protect against flu complications, the state Department of Health recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone age 6 months and older. Groups like pregnant women, children younger than 5 years, people over 65 years, and people with chronic medical conditions are at higher risk for flu-related complications, such as pneumonia, hospitalization, and death. Healthcare workers and household contacts of high-risk populations, such as those with young infants, should also be vaccinated.

Influenza is a viral infection spread by respiratory droplets released when an infected person coughs or sneezes. Common signs and symptoms of the flu include fever of 100 degrees or greater, cough, sore throat, headache, fatigue, body or muscle aches, and runny or stuffy nose.