The woman was without known background illnesses • 9 people total died of flu complications only last week • From the start of the season 40 total died
Photo: Herzi Shapiro
A 40-year-old woman, who is a resident of the North, died at Rambam Hospital yesterday evening, due to complications from influenza. Death is particularly worrisome as the woman was without any known background disease. As far as is known, the woman has not been immune to the disease this year.
Recent data from the Ministry of Health indicate that in the past week alone, 9 people died from complications of influenza. A total of 334 severe influenza patients were diagnosed since the beginning of the winter, of whom 40 died (including 5 children).
Of the patients whose immune status is known, only 16% were vaccinated against influenza and 21% were deceased (all of whom also had severe background illnesses). Eighty-seven patients are currently under 18, and among the seriously ill - 18 are pregnant women.
