SUSSEX COUNTY RESIDENT FIRST FLU DEATH FOR 2014-2015

DOVER (November 19, 2014) -

Delaware's Division of Public Health (DPH) reports the first flu-related death of the 2014-2015 flu season. The individual is an 83-year-old woman from Sussex County who died on November 17, 2014. Infection with influenza A was later confirmed by the Delaware Public Health Laboratory as part of the state's surveillance efforts.

"We are so sorry to hear this sad news," said Dr. Karyl Rattay, DPH director. "Our thoughts and prayers go out to the family. This is an important reminder how serious the flu can be, particularly among vulnerable populations like the very young, people with underlying conditions, and seniors."

DPH reports a total of 37 cases for the current flu season in Delaware, with the number of cases expected to rise over the next three months. In the 2013-2014 flu season, there were a total of 1,842 confirmed flu cases in Delaware, with six flu-related deaths.

Delawareans are encouraged to prevent flu infection by taking the following measures:

• Get the flu vaccine. Anyone age six months and older should get vaccinated for the flu. It is particularly important that anyone who works or lives with children, persons with underlying medical conditions, or seniors, get vaccinated. Vaccinations are offered through physician offices, and many pharmacies and grocery stores.
• Wash hands with soap frequently or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers, especially after you cough, sneeze or touch your face.
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and dispose of the tissue immediately. If a tissue is not available, cough or sneeze into your inner elbow. Droplets from a sneeze can travel up to six feet.
• Stay home when sick and do not return to work until 24 hours after a fever is gone.

For further information on the flu or where to get vaccinated visit www.flu.delaware.gov or call 800-282-8672.

A person who is deaf, hard-of-hearing, deaf-blind, or speech-disabled can call the DPH phone number above by using TTY services. Dial 7-1-1 or 800-232-5460 to type your conversation to a relay operator, who reads your conversation to a hearing person at DPH. The relay operator types the hearing person's spoken words back to the TTY user. To learn more about TTY availability in Delaware, visit http://delawarerelay.com. Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations. DPH, a division of DHSS, urges Delawareans to make healthier choices with the 5-2-1 Almost None campaign: eat 5 or more fruits and vegetables each day, have no more than 2 hours of recreational screen time each day (includes TV, computer, gaming), get 1 or more hours of physical activity each day, drink almost no sugary beverages.

Delaware Health and Social Services is committed to improving the quality of the lives of Delaware's citizens by promoting health and well-being, fostering self-sufficiency, and protecting vulnerable populations.