State Reports First Flu Death In Santa Clara County
SACRAMENTO (CBS-SF) – State health officials announced Wednesday that a Santa Clara patient has died from a case of the flu – the first flu fatality in California this season.
California Department of Public Health State Public Health Officer Dr. Karen Smith did not disclose any other information as to the person's identity and warned state residents to get flu shots.
"As California's public health officer, I am troubled when the flu turns into loss of life," Smith said in a press release. "It doesn't have to. That's why I urge you to get your flu shot."
Smith said the flu season was in its early stages with more widespread cases expected from December through April.
"Now is a good time to be vaccinated before the flu really spreads widely," she said in the release.
Health officials said that two of this season's vaccine components -- the influenza A (H3N2) and influenza B (Yamagata lineage) strains -- have been updated to match the viruses Californians are likely to face during the 2015-2016 flu season.
Common symptoms of the flu include fever or feeling feverish, a cough and/or sore throat, a runny or stuffy nose, chills, fatigue and body aches. Children may also have nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.
State health officials offered these tips to halt the spread of the disease.
- Stay home when sick
- Cover a cough or sneeze with a tissue and properly dispose of the used tissue
- Wash hands thoroughly with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
