Final flu report shows 341 deaths this season

With no influenza-related deaths in the past week, San Diego County’s final flu report of the season shows a death toll of 341 people out of 20,747 cases overall, the county Health and Human Services Agency announced.

County officials monitor the flu all year, so totals could change from now through June 30 when the current season officially ends.

“While we’re glad to see cases declining, we know that they are reported year-round,” said Dr. Wilma Wooten, the county’s public health officer. “It is important that people get a flu shot every year, as strains may change each year.”

The flu claimed San Diego County residents aged 1 to 101 years old this flu season. Forty-four percent were under 65 years old and most of the patients who died had underlying medical conditions, the county reported.

There were 86 flu deaths this time last season, and 5,484 cases.

The high number of deaths this year is due to an unusually severe flu season, but also better reporting and tracking by the local medical community, said county health officials.