Flu Season Is ‘One Of The Nastiest In Years’; Severity Of Symptoms Leading To More Hospitalizations
But in California, where a record number of people have died, Department of Public Health chief Dr. James Watt says, "Our hope is that because we started early, we'll end early.'' Meanwhile, officials say it's still important to get the flu vaccine even if it's not as effective as previous years.
Los Angeles Times:
California Flu Season Could Be One Of The Worst In A Decade, State Officials Say
California health officials said Tuesday that the state's flu season could turn out to be one of the nastiest the state has seen in a long time. "This appears to be one of the worst seasons we've had in the last 10 years," state epidemiologist Dr. Gil Chavez said in a call with reporters. "We're early, and we're trending up." (Karlamangla, 1/9)
Modesto Bee:
In The Worst Flu Season In Years, Does The Vaccine Help At All? You Might Be Surprised
As hospital emergency rooms and clinics are inundated by patients with flu symptoms, the state Department of Public Health (CDPH) is working to confirm the number of flu deaths statewide. ... They said that 70 percent of those who died this season had not been vaccinated against the flu and 30 percent had received a flu shot. (Carlson, 1/9)
Ventura County Star:
Two More Flu Deaths Reported In Ventura County
As a California Department of Public Health official said the flu season could become among the state’s worst in a decade if it maintains its early pace, Ventura County officials reported two more flu deaths Tuesday. The new deaths linked to the flu bring the county’s total to 11, all reported by public health officials since Christmas. All but two of the deaths involved people 65 and older. A year ago, three county residents died over the entire flu season. (Kisken, 1/9)