Contra Costa Health Services has confirmed three additional deaths linked to influenza this month, bringing the total number of flu-related deaths of people younger than 65 to five since December in Contra Costa County.
The new cases include a man in his 30s, a man in his 50s and a woman in her 60s. The previous cases involved a woman and a man in their 40s. No other information will be released about these cases.
Erika Jenssen, Communicable Disease Programs Chief with Contra Costa Health Services’ Public Health Division, will be available for media interviews today from 3:30 to 4:30 p.m. at 597 Center Ave., Suite 200 in Martinez. Please call in advance to schedule.
Updated Contra Costa County flu stats will be released every Wednesday afternoon via Twitter at https://twitter.com/cocohealth/
Flu is unpredictable, and flu season can last through March in the Bay Area. Contra Costa Health Services recommends that everyone get a flu vaccine, which is the best way to protect oneself against the disease.
This year’s flu vaccine is available throughout Contra Costa County and provides protection against all of the strains of flu common in California, including H1N1.
Frequent hand-washing and covering coughs and sneezes are also ways to reduce the likelihood of spreading the flu. If you think you might be sick, stay home from work or school, and contact your healthcare provider.
Visit cchealth.org/flu/vaccination.php for more information.
Editors Note:
Health officials would not confirm which cities these cases originated in.
