INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — The number of Indiana flu deaths this season has risen
to 10, up from seven at this time last week.
A weekly health department report says eight of those who died were older
than 50 and two were under 18.
Health officials reported four influenza outbreaks in long-term care
facilities, but didn’t say whether any deaths occurred there.
An epidemiologist said earlier this week that most of the flu circulating
now is an H3N2 virus that tends to be more severe than some other strains.
Doctors are encouraging people to get flu shots to protect against the
strain that is circulating. People develop immunity about two weeks after
receiving the vaccine.
This year’s outbreak is regarded as one of the worst in several years.