RALEIGH, N.C. — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services’ Division of Public Health has announced the first flu related death of the 2019-20 flu season.
Officials say the death occurred in the first week of October and involved am adult in the central part of the state. The identity, hometown, and county of the person who died is not being released in order to protect the privacy of the family.
“We are very saddened by this death and send condolences to the loved ones of this person,” said State Epidemiologist Zack Moore, M.D., MPH. “Flu is a serious illness and in some cases can lead to complications and even result in death, which is why we strongly encourage people to get vaccinated every year.”
The CDC says vaccination is the best way to prevent infection with the flu and recommends vaccination for everyone six months and older.
According to the CDC, in North Carolina, flu infections are most common from late fall to early spring with activity usually peaking in January or February. To find a flu vaccine near you, visit flu.nc.gov.
