INDIANAPOLIS, Ind. — Indiana state health officials have announced the first flu-related death of the 2016-17 flu season. Due to privacy laws, no additional information about the patient will be released.
“It’s heartbreaking every year to learn that a Hoosier has died from the flu,” said Indiana State Health Commissioner Jerome Adams, M.D., M.P.H. “Unfortunately, the flu can have serious and even deadly consequences, which is why it’s so important for people to get vaccinated.”
Influenza is a viral infection in the respiratory tract and is spread when infected people cough or sneeze. The virus can also be spread by touching contaminated surfaces or objects, and then touching the eyes, nose or mouth. Anyone can get the flu but the most at-risk groups are young children, the elderly, pregnant women and those with chronic illnesses.
Symptoms include a fever greater than 100 degrees, headache, fatigue, cough, muscle aches, and sore throat.
For more information about treatment and prevention go to in.gov/isdh/.
