Southern Nevada Health District: 48 Flu Deaths in Clark County
The Las Vegas-based Southern Nevada Health District announced an updated count of 48 flu deaths for Clark County, Nevada, the southern county that includes the city of Las Vegas, on April 23.
The Las Vegas-based Southern Nevada Health District announced an updated count of 48 flu deaths for Clark County, Nevada, the southern county that includes the city of Las Vegas, on April 23. The district said its Office of Epidemiology and Disease Surveillance is working with the Health District's Vital Records program and the Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health to review and update previously reported cases of flu, and that the update process does not add to the total flu case count for the season.
The district is among the largest local public health organizations in the United States, serving more than 2.2 million residents. It conducts surveillance in keeping with CDC guidelines. When flu cases are reported to the district, the outcome of a case may be delayed. Staff members conduct investigations that involve reviewing patient records, death certificates, and laboratory reports, as well as verifying case definitions to reconcile surveillance activities.
Its reports said the flu season peaked nationally in early February, with influenza A(H3) viruses being the predominant strains reported for the overall season. "Beginning in March, influenza B strains were reported more commonly than A viruses. It is not unusual for there to be a second, lower wave of influenza activity later in the season. At the local level, the Southern Nevada Health District's season mirrored national activity with cases beginning to decline shortly after the first of the year and more influenza B viruses being reported later in the season," it reported.
While flu occurs more commonly in the winter months, cases can occur throughout the year, and the district continues to urge people to get vaccinated. More information about flu and the district's updated surveillance reports are available here.
www.southernnevadahealthdistrict.org/stats-reports/influenza-surveillance.php
Access information about the Southern Nevada Health District on its website: www.SNHD.info. Follow the Health District on Facebook: www.facebook.com/SouthernNevadaHealthDistrict, YouTube: www.youtube.com/SNHealthDistrict, Twitter: www.twitter.com/SNHDinfo, and Instagram: www.instagram.com/southernnevadahealthdistrict/. The Health District is available in Spanish on Twitter: www.twitter.com/TuSNHD. Don’t have a Twitter account? Follow the Health District on your phone by texting “follow SNHDinfo” to 40404. Additional information and data can be accessed through the Healthy Southern Nevada website: www.HealthySouthernNevada.org.
Today, the Southern Nevada Health District is one of the largest local public health organizations in the United States. The health district serves more than 2.2 million residents, which represents 72 percent of Nevada’s total population. Additionally, the Health District is charged with safeguarding the public health of more than 42 million visitors to Las Vegas each year.