Flu takes 45 lives so far in California, with Sacramento County’s five deaths the highest toll

By Cynthia H. Craft
ccraft@sacbee.com
Published: Friday, Jan. 17, 2014 - 10:47 am
Last Modified: Friday, Jan. 17, 2014 - 10:53 am

State officials announced Friday that the death toll from this season’s flu virus rose to 45 deaths statewide, with 38 fatalities reported in just one week. Last week’s total was seven dead in California.

Of all the counties, Sacramento County was still experiencing the highest death rate, with five people reported dead of the flu in the most recent reporting period ending Jan. 11. But the southern California region appeared to be hardest hit.

“Flu activity continues to increase statewide, including reports of hospitalizations, severe disease and the number of deaths,” said Dr. Ron Chapman, director of the state public health department. “We are clearly in the midst of what appears to be an earlier peaking, severe flu season.”

Chapman joined Sacramento County officials in urging people to get immunized against the flu. Although some hospital systems and urgent care centers reported brief shortages of flu vaccinesrecently, Chapman said there was no shortage of available vaccines.

“It is possible that private health care providers in California may temporarily run out of stock from time-to-time, but ample supplies of vaccine are still available for order,” Chapman said. “There are also no known widespread shortages of anti-viral medication to treat influenza.”

The predominant strain of the flu this year is H1N1, the same as in 2009’s pandemic. All flu vaccines available include components targeting H1N1. To find a flu shot provider near you, go to flushot.healthmap.org and type in your ZIP code.
Call The Bee’s Cynthia H. Craft, (916) 321-1270.
http://www.sacbee.com/2014/01/17/608...alifornia.html