David Goldman / AP
A nurse prepares a flu shot in Atlanta on Feb. 7, 2018.
Monday, Nov. 20, 2023 | 2:10 p.m.
The Southern Nevada Health District today announced the first flu-related death of the influenza season in Clark County.
Health officials only identified the person who died as a man in his 60s. No other information about the case was released.
“This death is a tragedy, and I offer my condolences to this man’s family and friends,” said Dr. Fermin Leguen, the district health officer.
“Unfortunately, the flu can be a serious illness causing severe illness and deaths each year,” he said. “I encourage everyone to get the flu vaccine and to practice healthy habits to protect themselves and their loved ones.”
Several states are seeing sharp increases in influenza-like illnesses and hospitalizations, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Nevada’s respiratory illness case activity remains low, based on CDC data.
But the Health District said reports of hospitalizations and people seeking care for flu-like illness are increasing.
There were 22 reported cases of flu-related hospitalizations in Southern Nevada as of Oct. 28, the most recently available data, according to the Health District. That was up from 14 cases the previous week.
During the same period last year, there were only 10 flu-related hospitalizations.
Flu season starts in October and typically peaks between December and February, though it can stretch into May.
Flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue, according to the CDC.
The Health District encourages people to get a flu shot, which is available to anyone 6 months of age and older.
Older adults, children, pregnant people and those with underlying medical conditions are at increased risk of becoming severely ill from the flu, the Health District said.
Flu vaccines are available at Health District clinics, doctors offices and pharmacies throughout Southern Nevada.
To help avoid the flue, people should wash their hands frequently, stay home when sick, avoid close contact with sick individuals and cover coughs or sneezes, health officials said.
