North Idaho woman’s death flu-related

A North Idaho woman has died from complications of the flu, the Panhandle Health District reported Monday.

The woman was over 60, according to health officials. Her death is the first reported in Idaho for the 2015-16 flu season. A woman from Spokane County died of the flu in October.

“This tragedy emphasizes that the flu is a serious illness, and now is the time to get vaccinated if you haven’t already,” Dave Hylsky, an epidemiologist for the health district, said in a news release.

The flu infects between 5 and 20 percent of Americans each year, causing more than 200,000 hospitalizations and about 30,000 deaths, he said.

There were 32 flu-related deaths in Idaho during last year’s flu season. Eight of those occurred in the state’s five northern counties. Infants, pregnant women, people with chronic medical conditions and the elderly are especially at risk for complications associated with the flu.

Flu activity typically peaks between December and February but can continue to spread as late as May, Hylsky said. Vaccination is recommended for everyone age 6 months and older.