The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) has reported the state’s first flu-related death of the season.
On Wednesday, the NCDHHS said an adult in western North Carolina died from flu complications during the first week of October. Their name was not given in a release.
“This is a sad reminder that flu infections can be serious and, in some cases, even fatal,” said State Epidemiologist Zack Moore, M.D, MPH. “We encourage everyone to take preventative measures against flu and other respiratory illnesses like getting your yearly flu shot, regularly washing hands, covering your cough and staying home when sick to avoid infecting others.”
More people died from the flu and flu complications during the 2024-2025 season than any previous stretch since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. From Oct. 5, 2024, through September 2025, the state saw 544 people die from the virus. The national number of pediatric flu deaths (280) was also the highest recorded amount since 2009.
Last week, a new law went into effect that allows pharmacists to test and treat the flu without the obligation of needing a prescription.
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