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RALEIGH — The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting the first flu-related death of the 2024-25 flu season. An adult in the Charlotte metropolitan area died due to complications of influenza during the second week of October. To protect the privacy of the family, additional information will not be released.

“This is a sad reminder that influenza can be a very serious illness,” said State Epidemiologist Zack Moore, M.D., MPH. “Taking preventative measures against flu and other respiratory illnesses like getting vaccinated, regularly washing hands, covering your cough and staying home when sick are important to help protect you and your family.”

Influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are expected to increase over the coming weeks. Vaccinations are the best way to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death from these infections. Vaccinations are especially important for those at higher risk of severe viral respiratory disease, including people 65 years and older, children younger than 5, pregnant women, those with a weakened immune system and those with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends all people aged 6 months and older receive a seasonal flu vaccine and COVID-19 vaccine. RSV vaccinations are also recommended to protect older adults 75 years and older, adults 60-74 years who are at increased risk of severe RSV and pregnant women during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy to protect infants. Parents should talk with their health care provider about other options to protect infants from severe RSV disease.

Flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccinations are available at pharmacies, private medical offices, some federally qualified health care centers and local health departments. These vaccines can be administered at the same visit. To find a vaccine near you, visit www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines.

Early testing and treatment with an antiviral drug can help prevent respiratory infections from becoming more serious. Treatments work best if started soon after symptoms begin. If you begin to feel sick, contact your doctor right away to see if you need treatment with a prescription antiviral drug. Treatment is especially important for those who are hospitalized, people with severe illness and those who at high risk of serious complications based on their age or medical conditions.

In addition to vaccines and treatment, the following precautions should be taken to protect against the spread of respiratory viruses:

• Regularly wash your hands with soap and water or use an alcohol-based cleaner or sanitizer to prevent the spread of viruses to others
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects that may be contaminated
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then discard the tissue promptly
• Stay home when sick, except to seek medical care or testing, and take steps to avoid spreading infection to others in your home, including:
  • Staying in a separate room from other household members, if possible
  • Using a separate bathroom, if possible
  • Avoiding contact with other members of the household and pets
  • Not sharing personal household items, like cups, towels and utensils
  • Wearing a mask when around other people

For more information on respiratory viruses, including how to access vaccines, testing and treatment in your community, visit www.vaccines.gov/en/, flu.ncdhhs.gov or covid19.ncdhhs.gov.

A respiratory virus surveillance summary that includes information on flu, COVID-19 and RSV-related activity across North Carolina is updated weekly at covid19.ncdhhs.gov/dashboard.