Flu In Tennessee: Midstate Pregnant Woman Dies

NASHVILLE, TN -- A Middle Tennessee woman who was pregnant is the fourth person and first adult in the Volunteer State to die from the flu this season, the Department of Health announced Monday.

Three children - two in East Tennessee and one in Middle Tennessee - have also died.

Children and pregnant woman, along with the elderly and those with compromised immune systems, are the most likely groups to die from the disease.

The deadly H3N2 flu began to spread in Middle Tennessee in mid-December, prompting nearly every one of the 95 county health departments statewide to begin offering free vaccinations. Check locations and hours for county health departments here.

Health officials say, in addition to getting vaccinated, the best method to prevent the spread of the flu is hand-washing for at least 20 seconds (the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention suggests singing "Happy Birthday" while scrubbing).

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