Two More Oklahoma Deaths Blamed On Flu

Two more Oklahomans have died from the flu, bringing the number of deaths to seven this flu season, but the Oklahoma State Department of Health says deaths are way down compared to last year.

In the latest numbers released Thursday, the OSDH says the newest deaths were in Delaware and Tulsa counties. The number of flu-related hospitalizations is 301.

State health officials say the current flu season has been a complete opposite of last year's season due to the effectiveness of the flu vaccine.  

State health department epidemiologist Kendra Dougherty says a year ago this week, there had been 101 flu deaths and 2,183 hospitalizations in Oklahoma.

She says this flu season compares to the 2011-2012 season when there were just three deaths by this week.  The flu season usually runs through April but could last into the first week in May.

Flu deaths for the current flu season, which began in October 2015: 

• Delaware County - 1
• Harper County - 1
• Oklahoma County - 1
• Rogers County 1
• Tulsa County - 3

3/3/2016 Related Story: New Flu Deaths Reported In Oklahoma And Tulsa Counties

Dougherty suggests if you haven't had a flu shot yet, you should consider getting one because now that the flu numbers are starting to go up.