Two flu-related deaths reported in North Carolina this season

Two people have died from complications of the flu in North Carolina so far this season.

Posted 4:50 p.m. Oct 24, 2019 — Updated 6:40 p.m. Nov 14, 2019

Jessica Patrick

, WRAL digital journalist

RALEIGH, N.C. — Two people have died from complications of the flu in North Carolina so far this season.

The latest flu death was reported Thursday by the Department of Health and Human Services. Demographics were not provided.

In October, a senior citizen died of the flu, according to officials. To protect the privacy of the family, the person's hometown, county, age and gender were not released.

The current flu season runs from Oct. 29, 2019 to May 16, 2020.

Flu shots are a necessity for everyone six months of age and older, according to health officials.

"We are very saddened by this death and send condolences to the loved ones of this person,” said state epidemiologist Zack Moore, M.D. “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.”

Flu or cold? How to tell, how to treat it

During the 2018-2019 flu season, 208 flu deaths were reported in North Carolina, down from 391 deaths during the 2017-18 flu season, one of the worst, officials said. Of those 208 deaths, 133 were people age 65 and older and five were under the age of 18. In 2018, the first flu death was reported on Nov. 1.

Learn more about the flu shot and preventing the spread of the flu here.

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