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A 60-year-old Riverside man has died of flu – the first documented flu-related death in Riverside County during the flu season, health officials said today .
"This is a tragic reminder that the flu is still killing," said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, County Public Health Officer. "We continue to recommend that community members be vaccinated against the flu."
According to Barbara Cole, disease control specialist from the county's Department of Public Health, 23 influenza-related deaths have been recorded, involving residents aged 64 or younger during the 2017-2018 influenza season. She added that the most recent victim had received a flu shot and died after hospitalization. A pre-existing health condition has probably exacerbated her condition, officials said.
During an appearance before the Supervisory Board last month, Kaiser stressed the need for vaccinations by evoking the centennial of the 1918 influenza pandemic, when the so-called "Spanish flu" ravaged several continents . Nearly 700,000 people died. of the
in the United States at the time, according to the Federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. An estimated 500 million infections worldwide, causing about 50 million deaths.
Kaiser acknowledged that last year's flu vaccines have only proven effective at 40% against viral strains that spread throughout the county and state. However, even at the lowest level of protection, "you're still 40% less likely to get the flu, and even if you get the flu, it's usually less serious," he said.
Influenza is a respiratory disease characterized by fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, headache and body. Vomiting and diarrhea are also known to occur.
According to Cole, frequent hand washing and "social distancing" – avoiding symptoms – is the best way to prevent getting the flu, transmitted by droplets from coughing or sneezing. ;a sick person. contact others until their symptoms lessen, she said.
Influenza vaccines are available at the Riverside University Medical Center in the Moreno Valley, at one of the county's 10 dispensaries, as well as at most pharmacies and doctors' offices.
The flu season usually extends from early autumn to early spring.
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