Clark County reports two more flu deaths

Friday, Jan. 9, 2004 | 9:35 a.m.

Southern Nevada has recorded its second and third flu deaths of the winter flu season, Clark County Health District officials said today.

Health District spokeswoman Jennifer Sizemore said federal privacy laws prohibit her from divulging any more information that could lead to the identities of the victims, including age, sex and the dates they died.

She said the second death was posted on the Health District website on Tuesday. The third death was disclosed to her office via e-mail from a medical official late Thursday.

The first Clark County flu death of the season was reported a few days before Christmas. It was a man older than 50 who had a medical condition that made it more likely to have complications from the flu.

Sizemore did not immediately have statistical information as to whether the latest tally is a higher total than usual for this early in the flu season, but she noted, "it is not unusual for Clark county to have deaths from flu during the flu season."

Typically, 350 Nevadans die from flu and flu-related illnesses each year, according to the state office of epidemiology.

Flu season typically lasts from October until March or April.

The latest flu statistics through Thursday show that there were 29 culture- confirmed flu cases -- the more accurate of two tests to determine whether someone has the flu -- and 173 rapid test confirmed cases.

Many doctors do not perform flu tests because the treatment for the flu and flu-like illnesses is the same -- plenty of bed rest, fluids to prevent dehydration and just waiting it out.

The Health District, which had a run on flu shots in December amid national reports this would be the worst flu season in years, has about 1,300 pediatric doses remaining to distribute to uninoculated children age 3 and younger.

There also is an unspecified number of adult doses remaining, but only for those in the high-risk groups -- age 65 or older or those with chronic medical conditions.

All flu shots are given at the main Health District office at 625 Shadow Lane. Appointments are not necessary for children but are necessary for adults. The phone numbers for the immunization clinic are 383-1351 or 383-1352.