Dallas

First Flu Death of the Season Confirmed in Dallas County

Dallas County is reporting its first flu death of the 2014-2015 flu season, according to Dallas County Health and Human Services.

The person who died is an adult, according to DCHHS Director Zach Thompson, but no further details were released other than they were a Dallas County resident.

Flu was blamed in 58 deaths in Dallas County during the 2013-2014 flu season, including three children.

The news of the death should serve as inspiration to get the flu shot soon, according to Dr. Staci Benson of the CityDoc Urgent Care clinic in Uptown Dallas.

"These are not necessarily old people or people with chronic conditions [who are dying]," Benson said. "These could be young, healthy 34-year-olds. So it's very important you protect yourself."

Flu season is in full swing right now, but tends to peak in January and February.

"We are actually seeing a lot of people every day with influenza symptoms. It's been going on now for a few weeks, even months, with an increase in the past few weeks. We're having lots of positives every single day," Benson said.

NBC 5's Holley Ford contributed to this report.

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