Health Department: Flu Contributed To Death Of Tulsa County Child

Seven more Oklahomans, including a child in Tulsa County, have died from the flu between January 8 and January 14, 2014 according to figures released Thursday by the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

That brings the number of influenza deaths to 12. The latest deaths include two more in Tulsa County, two in Comanche County and one each in Cleveland, McClain and Okmulgee counties.

The department says one of the Tulsa County deaths was a child under the age of four.  

"This death is a somber reminder of the danger flu poses to children," said Tulsa Health Department Director Dr. Bruce Dart. "The loss of a child is always tragic and we extend our sympathies to the family."

'1/9/2014 Related Story: Five Flu-Related Deaths In Oklahoma In The Last Week

The OSDH says 399 people have been hospitalized in Oklahoma since October 2013 with influenza-associated symptoms.

Flu hospitalizations in eastern Oklahoma [since October 2013] include:

• Adair County 4
• Cherokee County 5
• Craig County 3
• Creek County 4
• Delaware County 2
• Latimer County 3
• LeFlore County 14
• Mayes County 6
• Muskogee County 5
• Okfuskee County 3
• Okmulgee County 7
• Osage County 2
• Ottawa County 3
• Pawnee County 2
• Pittsburg County 10
• Rogers County 7
• Sequoyah County 1
• Tulsa County 104
• Wagoner County 15
• Washington County 3

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

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.