Media Contact:
Britt Ehrhardt, Public Health Communications Officer
Santa Clara County Public Health Department
Office: (408) 792-5155
[email protected]
Public Health Department encourages hand washing and flu vaccination
County of Santa Clara, CA. The first influenza-associated death of the 2017-2018 flu season has been reported to the Santa Clara County Public Health Department. The individual who died was an adult under age 65 and passed away earlier this month.
Dr. Sara Cody, County Health Officer and Director of the Public Health Department, said the individual who died had other medical conditions that put the individual at increased risk of severe complications from influenza, or the flu. The individual had not received this year’s flu vaccine. Due to medical privacy laws, further details about the individual will not be released.
No other cases of severe flu have been reported to the Public Health Department this flu season. Only deaths due to laboratory-confirmed flu among individuals aged 0-64 years are required to be reported in California. Reporting of non‐fatal cases of laboratory‐confirmed flu requiring admission to an Intensive Care Unit is recommended for persons aged 0‐64, but it is not required in California. The criteria for reporting flu deaths are set by state and federal public health officials.
Flu is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms of the flu may be similar to those of the common cold, but are usually more severe. The flu season continues through spring each year.
While everyone six months and older should get vaccinated every year, it is especially important for pregnant women, children younger than five, adults 65 and older, and those with chronic medical conditions, such as heart disease, asthma, and diabetes.
In addition to getting the vaccine, health officials advise individuals to take the following steps to protect themselves and loved ones from flu.
- Cover your cough and sneezes with a tissue.
- If you do not have a tissue, cough into your elbow.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, or mouth.
- Wash your hands often and thoroughly with soap and warm water or an alcohol-based hand sanitizer.
- Stay home when you are sick, and keep your children home when they are sick.
- Stay home until you have been symptom-free for 24 hours.
Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue. People at higher risk of severe disease who show flu symptoms should contact their medical provider. Medical providers may prescribe antiviral medications that reduce the severity and duration of illness. Antibiotics are not effective against the flu.
Individuals are encouraged to contact their health care provider to get their flu shot. The vaccine is also available at pharmacies, retail stores, and is offered by some employers.
For more information about flu visit the Santa Clara County flu web page, sccphd.org/flu. Find more locations near you that offer flu vaccine using the Vaccine Finder.
About the Santa Clara County Public Health Department
The Santa Clara County Public Health Department focuses on protecting and improving the health of communities through education, promotion of healthy lifestyles, disease and injury prevention, and the promotion of sound health policy.
To learn more about how the Public Health Department serves the people who live, work, study, and play in Santa Clara County, please visit our website, sccphd.org, and follow us on Facebook, facebook.com/sccpublichealth.