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Indiana Reports First Flu Death

By Jill Sheridan, IPB News | Published on in Health, Statewide News
(NIAID.NIH.gov)
(NIAID.NIH.gov)

Indiana health officials have reported the first flu-related death of the season. The patient lived in Marion County, according to the county health department there. No other identifying details were released.

Indiana State Health Commissioner Dr. Kris Box commented on death in a written statement.

“This is a tragic reminder that we should never underestimate how serious the flu can be,” said Box.

State health officials are encouraging anyone 6 months or older get a seasonal flu shot. Flu season typically runs from October to May and officials say it takes two weeks from the time of a flu shot for a body to build up immunity.

There were 113 reported influenza related deaths flu deaths in Indiana last year.

Contact Jill at jsheridan@wfyi.org or follow her on Twitter at @JillASheridan.