Season's First Flu-Associated Deaths Reported In Riverside County

RIVERSIDE COUNTY, CA — Health officials reported Friday the first two reported influenza-associated deaths in Riverside County this flu season.

The deaths involved a 73-year-old man from mid-county and a 79-year-old woman from western Riverside County. Both had underlying health issues and died at local hospitals, according to Riverside University Health System - Public Health.

Further information about the victims was not released.

“These tragedies remind us that influenza can be serious, especially for those who have health issues or weakened immune systems,” said Dr. Geoffrey Leung, public health officer for Riverside County. “There are simple steps that can be taken to protect ourselves. Most important of these is to get vaccinated. We recommend that everyone over 6 months of age receive the flu vaccine.”

Influenza season generally runs from October to April. Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. Some people, such as older people, young children, and people with certain health conditions, are at higher risk for serious flu complications, according to RUHS.

Each year, influenza cases send scores of patients to Riverside County hospitals and lead to a number of deaths and ICU cases. Nationally, influenza causes tens of thousands of deaths and hundreds of thousands of hospitalizations each year, according to RUHS. (The county’s weekly influenza surveillance report is available here.)

In addition to vaccines, the public can take these steps to protect themselves from flu, COVID-19 and other respiratory illnesses:

• Wash hands thoroughly and frequently
• Cover coughs and sneezes
• Keep children home when sick
• Consider indoor masking
• Disinfect frequently used surfaces

For more information about respiratory illnesses and vaccines, visit RUHealth.org or to see the county’s respiratory illness dashboard click Respiratory Viruses | Riverside University Health System (ruhealth.org)