LA's First Fatal Flu Case Of The Season Confirmed

LOS ANGELES, CA — Los Angeles County confirmed the first flu-related death of the 2021-22 influenza season Wednesday: a middle-aged resident, who had underlying health conditions.

The person was not vaccinated for the flu. County health officials said the county' first flu death of the season is a sad reminder to get vaccinated.

"Although most people recover from influenza without complications, this death is a reminder that influenza can be a serious illness," according to a statement from the county DPH. "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."

According to the Department of Public Health, the patient tested negative for COVID-19 multiple times while sick with the flu.

The flu season was suppressed last year amid the coronavirus shutdown. However, health officials anticipate a return of the regular flu season this year.

Flu deaths in Los Angeles County vary widely from year to year. In some years, flu fatalities number in the 60s while other years there have been closed to 300 flu deaths.

City News Service contributed to this report.