15 More Flu Deaths In Pennsylvania, 47 Total This Season

The latest data on flu cases in Pennsylvania is in, and the news isn't good. Fifteen more deaths were reported in the state over the most recent week for which totals have been released. That brings the total number of flu-related deaths this season in Pennsylvania to 47.

The latest data released covers the week ending in Jan. 20.

As of last week, as reported by Patch, there were a total of 32 flu-related deaths so far this season, which extends from Oct. 1, 2017 through May 19, 2018. Experts have said for weeks this flu season was going to be bad bad and indeed it is panning out: "Widespread" virus activity is ongoing in Pennsylvania.

Since October, more than 25,000 people in Pennsylvania have fallen ill from the virus. The hardest hit counties include Allegheny, where more than 4,000 cases have been reported, and York, where there have been more than 1,400 cases so far this season.

According to the newest data, so far this season in Philadelphia there have been 583 cases of the flu reported. In its suburbs, the following number of cases have been reported by county as of Jan. 20:

• Bucks: 703
• Chester: 543
• Delaware: 927
• Montgomery: 914

The particularly bad season is attributed to infections from a flu strain known as H3N2. It doesn't respond well to vaccinations and is particularly dangerous to young children and older adults over the age of 65.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, body aches, headaches and fatigue. The flu virus is spread through the air, from coughing and sneezing, or by touching something that someone with the virus has touched.
You can pass the flu to someone else both before and while you are sick.

Adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming ill, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Some people, especially young children and people with weakened immune systems, might be able to infect others for an even longer time.

Here are some tips if you get the flu:

• Stay home if you are sick.
• Avoid touching your face — your mouth, nose, and eyes.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Avoid others who are sick.
• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or into a tissue.

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