1st Flu Fatality Reported In Connecticut: Health Officials

One person is confirmed to have died recently from the flu in Connecticut, the first flu-related fatality in the state this season, according to a report from the Connecticut Department of Public Health.

Details, such as where the patient was treated and the exact date they died, were not disclosed, but officials stated that the victim was over the age of 65.

"Influenza activity has been slowly increasing in Connecticut since the end of August," officials stated.

Additionally, as of Oct. 19 when the report was released, a total of 22 people have been hospitalized in Connecticut with "laboratory-confirmed influenza" since late August.

"Of these, 15 were associated with type A (subtype unspecified), 4 with influenza A (H3N2), and 3 with influenza B. One flu-associated death in an individual aged greater than 65 years has been reported.

"A total of 41 influenza positive laboratory tests have been reported during the current season (August 26 –

October 13, 2018): New Haven County (15), Hartford (13), Fairfield (6), Litchfield (4), and Windham
(3). Of the positive reports 28 were influenza A (subtype unspecified), 4 were influenza A (H3N2), and 9
were influenza B. To date, no influenza A (2009 H1N1) has been identified this season."

The federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends that people get a flu shot by the end of October, but is quick to add that getting one after the end of October is still beneficial.

Last flu season hit the United States particularly hard, with tens of thousands of residents dying from the virus, including more than 150 in Connecticut.

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