Flu Claims Life of 17-Year-Old San Diego County Girl

SAN DIEGO - An area 17-year-old girl has died from influenza in what county officials said Wednesday was the first reported pediatric flu death this season.

Although the teen died on Feb. 25, the case was not reported to the San Diego County Health and Human Services Agency until last week, according to a County News Center report. The girl's diagnosis of influenza A/H3 may have been exacerbated by an underlying medical condition. County officials did not disclose that specific condition, however.

"Three other deaths were also reported last week, bringing this season’s total to 72," the article said, later adding that the year's documented deaths include sufferers ranging from 17 to 98 years old. "That’s compared to 68 deaths last year, including a 9-year-old boy and a 16-year-old girl."

A total of 4,944 influenza cases have been confirmed in San Diego County this year. By this time in 2016, that number had reached 5,437, officials said.

They urged residents to get influenza vaccines as a primary line of defense. To learn more about preventing the flu, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

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