The Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services reports the first flu-related death of the year in the state. The victim was an adult, over the age of 65 and lived in the Southeast District Health Department that includes Johnson, Nemaha, Otoe, Pawnee and Richardson Counties.
“Sadly an influenza-related death underscores the potential seriousness of the disease and the importance of vaccination to reduce the risk of illness, hospitalization and death,” said Dr. Tom Safranek, State Epidemiologist for DHHS.
DHHS uses several systems to track the virus, activity and illness across the state. There has been one case of a variant flu virus, H3N2v, which normally circulates in swine. This is a variant virus. This person was hospitalized and later released. This is the state's first case of H3N2v.
Heath officials report that the flu is currently circulating at very low levels in the state.
The flu can make anyone ill but some are at a greater risk than others. It is especially important that young children, adults 65 and older, pregnant women and those with chronic lung disease, diabetes, heart disease, neurological conditions and other long-term health problems be vaccinated. Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities should also receive the vaccine. The CDC recommends the vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older.
Last season, there were 58 flu-related deaths in Nebraska including two children.