Indiana flu deaths have nearly tripled to 304 this season

The number of deaths from flu in Indiana have nearly tripled from the previous flu season, state health officials said. 

There have been 304 influenza-associated deaths so far, according to the Indiana State Department of Health in its latest report dated April 6, which tracks cases through Week 13 of the 2017-18 flu season.

There were 103 flu deaths in Indiana in the 2016-17 flu season, according to state health data.

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The majority of Indiana deaths — 226 — were among people aged 65 or older. There were three deaths among children 4 or younger and eight deaths of people aged 5-24.

Marion County had the second-highest number of laboratory-confirmed influenza deaths at 23. Hamilton County had 11 such deaths; Morgan County, 9; Johnson and Shelby counties, 8; Boone County, 7; Hendricks and Madison counties, 5.

Jennifer O'Malley, a spokeswoman with the state Health Department, said Saturday that the flu vaccine this year "was not as effective as hoped against H3N2," a more severe strain that was more prevalent this year and can lead to more hospitalizations and severe complications. 

"Unfortunately, that also is the strain we have seen a lot of," she said. "We generally see a more severe season every 4-5 years. This year falls within that window."

According to a report by the CDC, widespread flu activity was reported in 11 states during Week 13, ending March 31: California, Connecticut, Delaware, Maryland, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, New York, Ohio, Rhode Island, Virginia, and Wisconsin. Indiana was one of 26 states with less-intensive regional flu activity.

The CDC said there were high levels of flu-related illnesses and hospitalizations this season, with such cases rising sharply from December through early February.

A(H3) viruses have dominated this flu season, the CDC said. However, since early March, influenza B viruses have been more frequently reported than influenza A viruses, the federal health agency said. 

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For the second season in a row, the CDC has recommended an injectable flu vaccine, instead of the nasal vaccine. Some of the flu shots will protect against three flu viruses, while others will protect against four.

The spate of illnesses, hospitalizations and deaths this season may be in traced in part to a flu vaccine that offers limited protection against this year's strain of the virus.

O'Malley said this year's vaccine has been more effective against the H1N1 and influenza B strains.

She said Hoosiers should still consider getting the vaccine, if they haven't already, even though we're nearing the end of the flu season.

"We encourage people to still get a flu shot if they haven’t and to follow good hygiene practices, such as washing their hands and covering their coughs, if they are sick," she said. 

IndyStar reporter Shari Rudavsky contributed to this report. Call IndyStar digital producer Dwight Adams at (317) 444-6532. Follow him on Twitter: @hdwightadams.

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