1st flu-related death confirmed in Los Angeles County

LOS ANGELES (KABC) -- Health officials have confirmed the first flu-related death of the 2014-2015 season in Los Angeles County.

The victim has only been identified as an elderly woman who lived in the Pomona Valley area. The particular strain she had was type B. Officials say the woman also had underlying medical conditions.

Officials say it is not too late for people 6 months of age and older to get the flu shot. The peak of the season may occur in January or February.

Interim health officer Dr. Jeffrey Gunzenhauser says the quadravalent version of this year's flu vaccine protects against two B strains. But he says the strain making the biggest impact is not exactly the one vaccine makers had predicted, which means the current shot may not give full protection. But Gunzenhauser says the shot can still help. It may shorten the duration of symptoms and reduce the severity. That's why he says news of the death should serve as a call to action to anyone who hasn't got a flu shot yet.

"Give yourself, your family, friends and community the gift of health by doing what you can to prevent influenza. Get vaccinated," said Gunzenhauser, interim health officer for Los Angeles County. "While we may not be able to predict the severity of flu this season, there are indications that it may get worse."

According to county health officials, the predominant influenza virus types identified this year are types A H3N2, and lower levels of influenza A H1N1 and influenza B.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there's an average of 24,000 flu-related deaths in the U.S. each year.

For more information on the flu vaccine, visit www.cdc.gov/flu/index.htm.