LA County's First Flu Death Of The Season Recorded As Cases Rise

LOS ANGELES, CA — With flu cases on the rise across the state, Los Angeles County reported the county's first flu-related death of the 2023-24 flu season Wednesday.

An "elderly" patient with underlying health conditions was the season's first fatality in Los Angeles County, according to the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health. The case is at least the 10th recorded statewide so far this season.

"Although most people recover from influenza without complications, this death is a reminder that influenza can be a serious illness," health department officials said in a prepared statement. "Pneumonia is the most common complication of the flu. 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."

While flu cases have picked up around the state in November, it's the respiratory infection RSV that has been the most prevalent. This fall and winter health officials are expecting a busy year for respiratory infections, including influenza, COVID-19 and RSV. Currently, 10 percent of the respiratory infections tested around the state are coming back positive for RSV while just under 4 percent of cases are positive for influenza, according to state health officials.

"Although influenza seasons are difficult to predict, we are preparing for another fall and winter season in which influenza, RSV and COVID- 19 spread concurrently in Los Angeles County," county health department officials. "Current indicators of influenza activity in Los Angeles County are in line with past seasons and have been rising in recent weeks."

Health officials urged residents to get vaccinated against infection flu and COVID-19. The new RSV vaccine is recommended for vulnerable populations.

Groups of people that are at high risk for flu complications include children younger than 5 years, adults 65 years and older, and pregnant women, according to the health department.

"While the flu vaccine can vary in effectiveness from year to year, it still provides the best protection against influenza and its complications. With indicators of flu activity increasing in Los Angeles County and the holidays approaching, it is important that residents are vaccinated. Public Health and the CDC recommend flu vaccination for everyone greater than 6 months old."