Denton County health officials have confirmed a third influenza-related fatality for the 2017-2018 flu season.
The patient was an adult, a Denton County Public Health spokeswoman said. No further identifying information was released due to patient confidentiality.
"First and foremost, flu season is not over," Dr. Matt Richardson, Director of Public Health, stated in a news release. "This fatality indicates that the flu remains a serious condition and highlights the need for further preventative action."
As of writing there have been 38 reported influenza-related deaths in Dallas County, six in Collin County and three in Tarrant County.
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The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says the flu season nationwide is far worse than what they saw last year at this time.
Last year, 12 states had widespread cases, but this year the flu is widespread throughout the continental United States including Alaska. Hawaii is the only state without widespread flu, through the latest data from the CDC for the week ending Jan. 6.
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More than 400 people have died from the flu around the country.
“We still anticipate several weeks of high influenza activity,” said Juan Rodriguez, DCPH Assistant Director and Chief Epidemiologist. “The flu vaccine still remains the most effective way of preventing the flu.”
