INDIANA— The Indiana Department of Health encourages Hoosiers to protect themselves against influenza (flu) after confirming the first flu-related death of the 2024-25 season. Due to privacy laws, no additional information about the patient will be released.
During flu season, which typically runs from October through May, hundreds of Hoosiers become sick from influenza, and some cases are fatal. Over 270 Hoosiers died after contracting influenza during the 2023-24 flu season.
“During respiratory illness season, it is important for Hoosiers to practice healthy habits, like frequent and thorough handwashing, avoiding touching their eyes, nose, and mouth with their hands, and staying home when sick. This helps prevent the spread of flu, which can quickly become a serious, even life-threatening illness for some Hoosiers,” said State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, M.D., FACEP.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone age 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each year. Annual flu vaccines are available and are safe and effective protection against becoming seriously ill. The CDC also recommends early vaccination, as it 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 practicing 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.
While anyone can get the flu, some people are at higher risk of serious flu-related complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization, and death. Pregnant women, young children (especially those too young to get vaccinated), people who are immunocompromised or who have certain chronic illnesses, and the elderly are most at risk for complications from flu. These individuals need to receive an annual flu vaccine.
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 is updated on Fridays (Monday, Dec. 2, due to the holiday). The dashboard also contains historical flu surveillance data broken down by county, region, and age group. Click here to learn about influenza or view the CDC weekly flu report.
Visit the Indiana Department of Health at www.health.in.gov for important health and safety information, or follow us on X at @StateHealthIN and on Facebook at www.facebook.com/StateHealthIN
