(Indianapolis, IN) – The Indiana Department of Health (IDOH) has confirmed the first two flu-related deaths of the 2023-24 season.
No other information about the patients will be released due to privacy laws.
More than 270 Hoosiers died after contracting influenza last year.
The flu season typically runs from October through May.
IDOH is encouraging Hoosiers to get vaccinated against the flu.
“Influenza can quickly become a serious, even life-threatening illness for some Hoosiers,” said State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, M.D., FACEP. “While no two flu seasons are exactly alike, we always recommend getting an annual flu shot as soon as possible to provide the best protection against becoming seriously ill.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone age 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each year. The CDC also recommends early vaccination which takes about two weeks for the antibodies that protect against flu to develop in the body and the holiday season when families gather indoors is approaching.
People can also help prevent the spread of flu by washing their hands thoroughly and frequently, avoiding touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with their hands, and staying home when sick. Hoosiers should practice the “Three Cs” to help prevent the spread of flu and other infectious diseases:
- Clean: Properly wash hands with warm, soapy water
- Cover: Cover your cough and sneeze with your arm or disposable tissue
- Contain: Stay home from school or work when you are sick to prevent the spread of germs.
Common signs and symptoms of the flu include:
- fever of 100° Fahrenheit or higher
- cough
- sore throat
- headache
- fatigue
- muscle aches
- runny or stuffy nose
Flu season data is reflected on the IDOH influenza dashboard each week and will be updated on Fridays.
Due to reporting timeframes, one death will be reflected on today’s (November 3) update and the second on November 13.
The dashboard also contains historical flu surveillance data, broken down by county, region, and age group.
Click here to learn more about influenza or to view the CDC weekly flu report.
