No deaths due to flu, pneumonia

LIHUE — While those who have been hit with influenza can testify to the low energy an high fever, aches and pains that accompany this season’s strains, Hawaii officials aren’t reporting any recent deaths in the state due to flu or pneumonia.

Janice Okubo, spokeswoman with the state Department of Health. She says DOH hasn’t received any reports of death due to flu or pneumonia this season. Kauai District Health Officer Janet Berreman said the same on Monday.

“We have not received any reports at KDHO of flu-associated deaths here on Kauai,” Berreman said. “ We reached out to our hospitals and they are not aware of any such fatalities so far this season.”

Influenza and pneumonia fatalities are tracked together through the National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS) Mortality Reporting System. That system, reporting through March 9, shows a total of 38,816 nationwide influenza or pneumonia deaths reported through the 2018-19 season.

And while no numbers have come to light for the 2019 influenza season, Hawaii was just recently ranked by the Kaiser Family Foundation as the state with the highest rate of flu and pneumonia deaths based on data from the 2017 season.

Based on data from that season, Hawaii averaged 29.6 influenza and pneumonia fatalities per 100,000 population. That data also shows Vermont and Minnesota with just over 9 people per 100,000; Alabama with 20, Tennessee with 21.3, and Arkansas with 19.8.

Centers for Disease Control also publish information and reports relating to influenza and pneumonia. CDC is reporting vaccines have been 47 percent effective for the general population and 61 percent effective for children this season.

CDC, DOH and other health centers and disease outbreak agencies recommend getting the flu shot as the number one way to avoid getting influenza.