The Arkansas Department of Health has confirmed that at least one person has died so far this flu season.
“The ADH can confirm at least one influenza-related death during the current flu season,” said ADH spokesperson Ashley Whitlow. “To protect the privacy of the individual(s), no additional details can be shared.”
Whitlow says this number is consistent with average trends during flu season. “Unfortunately, it is not unusual to cross the threshold of reporting 10 or more influenza-related deaths by mid- to late December or early January,” she said. “The timing of reporting the 10th death is consistent with patterns observed in previous influenza seasons.”
So far this season, 113 people have been hospitalized with influenza-like illnesses. Pulaski and Washington Counties have the most hospitalizations reported in the state, with 14 and 12 respectively. The majority of hospitalizations occurred for patients above the age of 65 or below the age of 18.
Whitlow says the most effective way to protect yourself from the flu is to get vaccinated.
“Vaccination remains the most effective way to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death from influenza,” she said. “Additional preventive steps include avoiding close contact with sick individuals, covering coughs and sneezes, and washing hands frequently.”
