RIVERSIDE – (INT) – Riverside County health officials report the Inland Empire’s first death of the flu season.

A 60-year-old Riverside man who died at a local hospital tested positive for influenza, according to health officials.

The victim did receive the flu vaccine, but health officials believe that underlying health issues contributed to his death.

Last year, there were 23 flu-associated deaths in Riverside County among individuals 64 or younger. There were 80,000 flu deaths nationally, according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention.

“The flu still kills,” said Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County Public Health officer. “We continue to recommend everyone get their flu shot and get protected.”

Story Date: November 20, 2018