Riverside County's first reported flu-related death of the 2024-25 flu season is an elderly man in the eastern Coachella Valley, public health officials announced Friday, Oct. 18.
The man, whose identity was not disclosed, died earlier in October, according to a Riverside University Health System-Public Health news release.
"Now is the time to be aware of the dangers that influenza can present to our communities and do what we can to reduce the risk of getting or spreading the flu to others," Dr. Geoffrey Leung, county public health officer, said in the release.
The flu can lead to serious illness or death, especially among the elderly, children under age 5 and those with certain health conditions, including asthma, diabetes and heart disease. Symptoms include cough, fever, sore throat, stuffy nose, muscle aches and fatigue.
Flu season typically runs from October to April.
Leung encourages everyone over 6 months of age to get a flu shot.
Officials also are asking the public to prevent the flu's spread by washing their hands frequently and thoroughly, covering coughs and sneezes, staying home from work or school when sick, disinfecting frequently used surfaces and considering wearing a mask indoors.
Find a list of some Riverside County flu vaccine clinics here: www.ruhealth.org/public-health/immunization-program.