DPH confirms first flu-related death of 2024 season in South Carolina

COLUMBIA, South Carolina – The South Carolina Department of Public Health (DPH) announced today that the state has recorded its first flu-related death of the season.

“Sadly, a person in the Midlands has died from flu-related complications, which is our first confirmed flu-related death of the season, which officially started on September 29,” he added. said Dr. Linda Bell, state epidemiologist and director of DPH’s health programs division.

“This is a sobering reminder that the flu can be deadly. Unfortunately, each year in our state we see many deaths, hospitalizations and other serious complications of the flu.” Dr. Bell said. “Getting vaccinated against this disease is the best way to prevent flu, and I recommend that everyone who can get vaccinated as soon as possible.”

DPH and the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that all people 6 months and older be vaccinated. Flu prevention is especially important for people at higher risk of complications from the virus, including young children, pregnant women, people 65 and older, and people with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart or lung disease. However, healthy people can also develop serious complications from the flu.

Preventive methods to protect against flu and other respiratory viruses include vaccinations, masks, frequent hand washing, and staying home or away from home when sick.

It takes about two weeks for the body’s immune system to provide full protection. To ensure full protection, it is important to get vaccinated as early as possible.

“No matter what this season brings, we can be prepared for significant activity not only from influenza, but from respiratory diseases in general, including Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV,” he added. Dr. Bell said. “As with flu, vaccination is the best protection against severe illness from Covid-19 or RSV. People should talk to their doctor about vaccinations.”

As these respiratory diseases circulate in our communities, it is possible to get sick from one or more of them. Most people who get the disease have a mild illness and recover within one to two weeks.

However, in some people the disease can be critical. People most at risk for severe illness and complications from these respiratory diseases are infants, young children, the elderly, pregnant people and people with chronic diseases.

The updated 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine is now available and recommended for all people 6 months of age and older. It is important to get vaccinated with the 2024-2025 Covid-19 vaccine as vaccines are updated to provide the best protection against currently circulating strains of COVID viruses, which change much like the flu virus.