The first flu-related death in Los Angeles County has been confirmed by the department of public health in the 2021-22 influenza season.
The patient, a "middle-aged resident with multiple underlying health
conditions," has not been identified, but the department said they had tested negative for COVID-19 multiple times while sick with the flu. They had received a flu shot.
"Although most people recover from influenza without complications, this death is a reminder that influenza can be a serious illness," the department said in a statement, adding that pneumonia is the most common flu complication.
"Flu can also aggravate underlying health conditions like heart disease or asthma. Annually, thousands of people nationwide are hospitalized or die from influenza-associated illness."
County healthy experts pointed out that numbers this year may be markedly higher than in 2020, due to health and safety measures that were strictly followed during the height of the coronavirus pandemic in the 2020-21 flu season.
"We are preparing for influenza viruses to spread in L.A. County this fall and winter," the department said. "Indicators of influenza activity in [the] county are currently low but have been rising in recent weeks."
Health officials said the best defense against the flu is for everyone six months and older to get a flu shot. The recommendation includes pregnant women and children.
"Healthy people who feel they don’t need to be vaccinated should still get the vaccine to protect others in their community, especially the elderly, the young and those with weakened immune systems," the department said.
The department added that it is safety get both the flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine at the same time.
Groups at high risk of catching the flu include children under five years old, seniors 65 and older, pregnant women and individuals with medical conditions such as asthma, lunch or heart disease.