The Chester County Coroner’s Office has thus far received reports of 11 deaths associated with influenza during the 2017-2018 reporting period.

By comparison, five deaths due to influenza were reported during the 2016-2017 flu season.

Influenza was the primary cause of death in six of the 11 cases and a contributory factor in five other cases. Influenza type A was identified in three cases; no typing was available for the other eight cases.

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“Any influenza death is required to be reported to our office, but often we learn of a case only during our review of cremation permits, so the actual number of such deaths is probably higher than 11,” said Chester County Coroner Dr. Christina VandePol. “Fortunately, it appears that influenza deaths and illness are finally starting to decrease after an unusually active season this winter.”

Influenza A (H3N2) has been the most prevalent flu virus in the U.S. this year. Although the current vaccine is only about 25 percent effective against that particular strain, vaccination can still prevent thousands of cases of influenza, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

All but one of the 11 deaths associated with influenza in Chester County occurred in persons over 65 years of age, a population at higher risk of flu-related complications. No deaths due to influenza were reported in Chester County in two other high-risk groups: children under five and pregnant women.

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