Southern Nevada has 190 flu cases

Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2004 | 9:46 a.m.

Southern Nevada has recorded a total of 190 confirmed cases of the flu this season, the Clark County Health District Office of Epidemiology said Tuesday.

The flu outbreak began earlier than expected and is considered widespread in Nevada.

There have been two flu-related deaths in Clark County, Health District spokeswoman Jennifer Sizemore said. Both individuals were over 50 years of age.

New federal rules prohibit health officials from releasing any further details about the individuals.

Nationwide, at least 42 children have died from flu-related illnesses since October, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta reported.

The flu kills 36,000 people in the United States every year, most of them older than 65, the CDC says.

Worldwide the flu is estimated to kill 250,000 to 500,000 people a year, according to the World Health Organization.

It is not too late to receive a flu vaccine, Sizemore said.

Although demand for the vaccine has exceeded supply nationwide, the health district has received 1,300 pediatric doses of the influenza vaccine for children ages 3 years and younger.

Shots for people in this age group are available at the Ravenholt Public Health Center at 625 Shadow Lane from 8:30 a.m. until 4:30 p.m. Appointments are not necessary.

Adults who in a high-risk category, such as individuals 65 years of age or older, or those with chronic medical conditions, who still need a flu shot should call the health district's Immunization Clinic at 383-1351 or 383-1352 to check on whether vaccines are available.