Five Flu-Related Deaths In Oklahoma In The Last Week

Five people died from the flu in Oklahoma between January 1 and January 7, 2014 according to numbers released Thursday by the Oklahoma State Department of Health.

Those five deaths occurred in Kay, LeFlore, Osage, Pittsburg and Tulsa counties.

The OSDH says 242 people have been hospitalized in Oklahoma since October 2013 with influenza-associated symptoms.

OSDH Flu Watch

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

• Adair County 2
• Cherokee County 1
• Craig County 3
• Creek County 2
• Delaware County 2
• Latimer County 2
• LeFlore County 11
• Mayes County 4
• Muskogee County 2
• Okfuskee County 1
• Osage County 1
• Ottawa County 3
• Pawnee County 1
• Pittsburg County 8
• Rogers County 6
• Sequoyah County 1
• Tulsa County 59
• Wagoner County 8
• Washington County 3

State health officials say the single best way to protect against flu and its consequences is to get the flu vaccine.

They say this year's vaccine contains H1N1-2009 which is well-matched to the circulating strain.

Many local county health departments, pharmacies and health care providers still have vaccine and health officials urge all persons 6 months of age and older to get the vaccine to protect themselves and those around them from influenza, especially babies too young to receive a vaccination.

Local County Health Departments

1/8/2014 Related Story: Flu Widespread In Oklahoma Since Christmas, Health Officials Say