First Flu Death In 2015 Logged In Santa Clara County

Santa Clara County had its first fatal case of the flu of the year over the weekend and current vaccines have not proved fully effective against one of the season’s strains of the virus, a spokeswoman said today.

The unidentified person died at a local hospital and was under 65 years old and so was young enough to be reported to the public under criteria set by federal public health officials, according to Santa Clara Valley Health & Hospital System spokeswoman Joy Alexiou.

The person had been admitted for being ill with the flu and lab tests confirmed that the virus, which causes respiratory problems, led to their death over the weekend, Alexiou said.

[Previous: Flu Season Hitting; Four Deaths Confirmed In Bay Area.]

“Flu is a serious disease,” she said. “It really costs thousands of deaths in the United States.”

Seven other severe cases of the flu have been reported to the county Public Health Department since the season began, she said.

This year’s flu season in the county started about a week ago, later than most years when seasons typically begin between the end of December and early January and can extend to March, April or May, she said.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s website, the vaccine now available can protect people from this year’s flu strains that include H1N1, Influenza B and H3N2, also known as Influenza A and the strain that is producing the most severe symptoms.

But flu strains may evolve or become “drifted” viruses each year with small genetic changes that make new vaccines less effective. This year, most of the H3N2 viruses have drifted, CDC officials said.

[Previous: Oh, No! Season’s Flu Vaccine Just 23 Percent Effective: CDC.]

Alexiou said that even though the current vaccine may not prevent one of the strains, it would limit the severity of that strain of flu the vaccinated person may catch.

Symptoms of the flu, such as fever, coughing and respiratory congestion, can be similar to those of the common cold but are typically more harsh and can lead to complications, hospitalization or death, she said. In addition to getting vaccinated, people should wash their hands thoroughly with soap or alcohol-based rub and avoid touching their eyes, nose and mouth, she said.

Those who do catch the flu can avoid spreading it by staying at home, avoiding contact with others and coughing or sneezing into their elbow or sleeve, she said.

--Bay City News

--Image via Shutterstock

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