While the winter flu season has just begun, the Stanislaus County Public Health Department reported on Friday the county’s first flu-related death of an individual under age 65. 

The health department would only release the patient’s gender (female) and her age being under 65. To protect patient privacy, no further details about the individual were disclosed. 

Influenza is a contagious virus that spreads easily from person to person, affecting families and communities nationwide each year. Flu symptoms can range from mild to severe. Common symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches, and fatigue. In severe cases, flu complications may result in hospitalization or even death. While anyone can experience severe flu illness, certain groups are at higher risk, including young children, adults aged 65 and older, pregnant women, and individuals with chronic medical conditions. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control, California has an influenza mortality rate of 11.5% and recorded 5,308 deaths due to influenza in 2022.

People experiencing flu-like symptoms, especially those at higher risk, are urged to contact their healthcare provider promptly. Antiviral medications may be prescribed to reduce the severity and duration of illness. These medications are most effective when started early after symptoms appear. It is important to note that antibiotics do not treat the flu, as it is caused by a virus, said the health department.

“We extend our condolences to the family of the woman who passed away from flu,” said Dr. Thea Papasozomenos, Stanislaus County Public Health Officer. “This is a sobering reminder that flu is unpredictable and can be life-threatening. Flu vaccination is the most effective protection against flu and has been shown to reduce the risk of serious flu complications. It is not too late to get a flu shot.” 

Local hospitals are currently managing many patients with respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19, RSV, and the flu. To help reduce the spread of these viruses, Public Health strongly encourages the following precautions: 

• Get vaccinated against both the flu and COVID-19;

• Wash hands frequently with soap and water; and 

• Stay home if you are sick to prevent spreading illness to others. 

Flu vaccines are widely available at doctors’ offices, clinics, and pharmacies. For more information about flu and flu shots, visit schsa.org/publichealth/pages/flu/ or vaccinefinder.org.

Along with influenza and other respiratory illnesses common during the fall and winter months, the California Department of Public Health has been monitoring the bird flu situation in both animals and humans since the state’s first detection in poultry in 2022. Since August 2024, there has been an outbreak of bird flu in dairy herds in the Valley. 

There have been a confirmed total of 58 human cases of avian flu in the United States, with 32 of them in California. 

In November, the CDC confirmed that a child from Alameda County tested positive for avian influenza. The child had no known contact with an infected animal, but public health experts are investigating a possible exposure to wild birds. 

On Friday, the California Department of Food and Agriculture confirmed that avian influenza was found in three commercial flocks in Merced County and one commercial flock in San Joaquin County. 

Movement restrictions have been placed in nine counties: Stanislaus, Fresno, Kern, Kings, Marin, Merced, Sacramento, San Joaquin and Tulare.  This avian flu virus spreads easily between birds and is lethal to poultry, so infected flocks are quarantined and euthanized, followed by cleaning and disinfection of the barns. The disease is spread through movement of infected or exposed birds; direct or indirect contact with infected wild and domestic birds; and contact with virus on fomites (surfaces) such as hands, shoes, clothing, or feet and the fur of rodents and other animals exposed to infected birds or cattle. The source of infection in these flocks is currently unknown and under investigation.

Testing of other farms in the area, also known as surveillance testing, will be conducted over the next several weeks to determine the extent of spread. The CDFA strongly urges all poultry owners in California to protect their flocks by increasing their biosecurity practices. Recommended biosecurity practices can be found on the CDFA and USDA websites.