OMAHA, Nebraska - The Douglas County Health Department confirms that two influenza-associated pediatric deaths have taken place during the current flu season. Pediatric deaths are defined as those in which the deceased is less than 18 years old.
The most recent CDC report on the flu season reported 32 pediatric deaths in the United States this flu season. That does not include the Douglas County deaths. Douglas County has confirmed two adult influenza-related deaths and both of those involved people at least 50 years old. In those cases, the individuals had additional underlying medical conditions. Adult flu deaths are not required by law to be reported, so they likely are under-reported.
The flu season runs through April, so it is not too late to get a flu shot. In cases where the vaccine does not prevent influenza, the flu shot generally reduces the severity of the illness. Remember, the vaccine takes two weeks before it provides protection.
It is especially important for anyone who will be around children to be vaccinated, and if you are sick, to avoid contact with those children who are too young to receive the vaccine.
Other ways to protect yourself from the flu include washing your hands and covering your cough. You should clean surfaces that may have been exposed to the virus. Anyone who becomes ill can help by staying home for 24 hours after they have recovered from the flu and are free of a fever.
Douglas County had 3,758 lab-confirmed flu cases in the most recent DCHD report on the flu season. That report will be updated Monday, January 13.