Riverside County health officials are urging residents to take steps to protect themselves from influenza and other respiratory illnesses, including getting vaccinated, following two recent flu-associated deaths.
The deaths involved a 73-year-old man from mid-county and a 79-year-old woman from western Riverside County. They were the first two reported influenza-associated deaths in Riverside County this flu season, which generally runs from October to April. Both had underlying health issues and died at local hospitals.
No further information about the individuals is being released.
“These tragedies remind us that influenza can be serious, especially for those who have health issues or weakened immune systems,†said Dr. Geoffrey Leung, public health officer for Riverside County. â€
