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LA County reports first flu death of 2014-15 season

December 22, 2014
FILE-This Thursday, Jan. 10, 2013 file photo shows vials of flu vaccine in Philadelphia. As the flu season winds down, health officials say it wasn't as bad as last year and the vaccine worked better. But younger adults were hit harder because of a surge of swine flu. Overall, hospitalization rates for the flu are only about half what they were last winter. (AP Photo/Matt Rourke)

County health officials said there has been an increase of flu activity in the county during recent weeks, and urged everyone to get vaccinated. (AP)

LOS ANGELES (CNS) – Los Angeles County health officials today confirmed the county’s first flu death of the 2014-15 season.

The victim was described as an elderly woman who lived in the Pomona Valley area and had underlying medical conditions.

“Even though we are well within flu season, it’s not too late to get your flu vaccination,” said Jeffrey Gunzenhauser, the county’s interim health officer. “Give yourself, your family, friends and community the gift of health by doing what you can to prevent influenza. Get vaccinated.”

County health officials said there has been an increase of flu activity in the county during recent weeks, with the peak of the season expected in January or February. The woman who died was diagnosed with Type B influenza, officials said.