Riverside County reports first flu-associated death of season

RIVERSIDE — A 60-year-old Riverside man who recently died at a local hospital tested positive for influenza, according to health officials.

The death is considered the first flu-associated death of this flu season in Riverside County.

Last year, there were 23 flu-associated deaths in Riverside County of individuals age 64 or younger. There were 80,000 flu deaths nationally, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The Riverside resident had recently been hospitalized and died at the facility earlier this week, according to health officials.

“This is a tragic reminder that the flu still kills,” said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County Public Health officer. “We continue to recommend community members get their flu shot. Get your flu shot and get protected.”

While this individual did receive the flu vaccine, health officials believe that underlying health issues contributed to his death

No flu-related deaths have been reported so far in Imperial County, said Maria Peinado, public information office for the Imperial County Public Health Department. “Flu activity remains low,” she said.

“What we can say,” she added, “is that we encourage individuals to get a flu shot to prevent the flu and flu vaccine is available in our community at local community clinics, private providers, pharmacies and at the Imperial County Public Health Department.”