State’s First Case of Influenza A Is Identified
The state’s first case of influenza A this season has been identified, underscoring the need for people to get flu shots now, public health officials said Tuesday.
The isolated, identified influenza A virus was cultured from a 3-month-old boy who was admitted to a hospital in Orange on Oct. 9 for treatment of bronchitis. The unidentified child, whose family is from La Puente, has recovered, authorities said.
Although the case in Orange County was recorded first, a second case from Los Angeles County was identified about the same time, said Dr. Hildy Meyers, medical director of communicable disease control and epidemiology for Orange County.
In California, the first influenza case of the season usually is identified in October or November, according to county health officials. The peak of the flu season usually occurs in late December or early January.
Isolating the virus is important because the information tells health authorities whether to brace for influenza A or B, two different viral strains, Meyers said.
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