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First flu death of season reported in California
In this file photo, a woman receives a free flu shot from a Walgreens employee during a free flu shot clinic at Allen Temple Baptist Church on December 19, 2014 in Oakland. California Department of Public Health officials have announced the first flu-related death of the season of a person under age 65.
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Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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California Department of Public Health officials announced the first flu-related death of the season Wednesday. The person who died was under 65 years old.
CDPH says the fatality occurred in Santa Clara County. Overall influenza activity in California remains sporadic ahead of peak levels expected from December through April, according to the CDPH.
State health officials report 78 people under 65 died from the flu last season. Typically, people die because the flu exacerbated another condition. Only deaths of people under 65 are reported to the state.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says studies have found that about 90 percent of people who died from flu-related illness are over 65.
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