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January 22, 2003

U.S. IMMUNIZATION NEWS

"Influenza Deaths on Rise in State"

Baton Rouge Advocate (www.theadvocate.com) (01/20/03) P. 1B; Millhollon, Michelle

Bob Johnnessen, the Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals spokesperson, said there was an increase in influenza and pneumonia deaths in the state between 1998 and 2002, with 11.5 deaths per 100,000 people in 1998 and 24.6 deaths per 100,000 in 2002.  Johnnessen associated the increase with the rise of elderly people in the state.  He noted that fears about other viruses may make people forget about the flu.  "In the age of West Nile Virus and other viruses, people tend to forget that the flu has serious complications for the elderly and others of high risk," he said.  A recent report from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said that flu deaths in the United States now total about 36,000 every year, up from a previous estimate of 20,000.

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