Number of South Dakota flu deaths rises to 8

10:56 PM

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) -- The state Health Department reports another four deaths from influenza, raising the number of flu-related deaths in South Dakota to eight this season.

Flu activity is classified as widespread by the department, although it said there were fewer cases and hospitalizations in the past week.

Thirty-eight percent of the confirmed cases are in children age 9 or younger. Thirty-four percent of the hospitalizations are in people age 70 and older.

Flu deaths have been reported in Brown, Codington, Hughes, Lincoln, Meade, Potter and Yankton counties. The state reported six flu-related deaths in the 2006-07 flu season.

http://www.siouxcityjournal.com/articles/2008/03/14/news/latest_news/9118e37a232ef6e88625740d0015b55c.txt

Medclinician

http://www.argusleader.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=200880328031

Flu death toll hits 13 in SD

PIERRE, S.D. (AP) – The number of flu-related deaths in South Dakota is more than double last year’s count.

The state Health Department recorded four more deaths in the latest reporting period, boosting the number of flu-related deaths this winter to 13. The state had six deaths last year.

The median age of those who’ve died was 82.

The elderly and the young remain the hardest hit. Of those hospitalized, 21 percent are age 9 or younger, and 38 percent are age 70 or older.

Medclinician