Five New Flu-Related Deaths In Oklahoma

Five more Oklahomans have died from complications from influenza since last week. According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health the number of flu deaths now stands at 25.

The new deaths occurred in Carter, Comanche, LeFlore, Logan and Tulsa counties.  The OSDH says in Tulsa County the number of flu deaths this season is five.

Statewide, hospitalizations due to influenza jumped from 575 last week to 819 this week.

1/23/2014 Related Story: Flu Deaths Jump By 8; Hospitalizations Increase 44 Percent In Oklahoma

 Flu hospitalizations and deaths in eastern Oklahoma [since October 2013]:

• Adair County 5
• Cherokee County 7
• Craig County 6
• Creek County 15
• Delaware County 3
• Latimer County 6
• LeFlore County 19 (2 deaths)
• Mayes County 13
• Muskogee County 31 (2 deaths)
• Okfuskee County 4
• Okmulgee County 13 (1 death)
• Osage County 6 (1 death)
• Ottawa County 6
• Pawnee County 4
• Pittsburg County 18 (1 death)
• Rogers County 18
• Sequoyah County 3
• Tulsa County 185 (5 deaths)
• Wagoner County 25
• Washington County 6

The Department of Health began keeping statistics for the 2013-2014 flu season beginning in October 2013. 

The OSDH says local county health departments, pharmacies and health care providers still have vaccine and it urges everyone 6 months of age and older to get vaccinated.

County Health Departments

State health officials say those who receive the flu vaccine not only protect themselves but also those around them, including babies too young to receive a vaccination.