Five New Flu-Related Deaths In Oklahoma

Five more Oklahomans have died from complications from influenza since last week. According to the Oklahoma State Department of Health, the number of flu deaths now stands at 25.

The new deaths occurred in Carter, Comanche, LeFlore, Logan and Tulsa counties.

According to the Oklahoma City-County Health Department, there have been 137 flu-related hospitalizations in Oklahoma County since September 29, 2013. There has been one influenza death in Oklahoma County within that same time period.

1/23/2014 Related Story: Flu Deaths Jump By 8; Hospitalizations Increase 44 Percent In Oklahoma

Statewide, hospitalizations due to influenza jumped from 575 last week to 819 this week.

The Department of Health began keeping statistics for the 2013-2014 flu season beginning in October 2013.

The OSDH says local county health departments, pharmacies and health care providers still have vaccine and it urges everyone 6 months of age and older to get vaccinated.

County Health Departments

State health officials say those who receive the flu vaccine not only protect themselves but also those around them, including babies too young to receive a vaccination.