3 more flu-related deaths in El Paso; number of deaths climbs to 18

The number of flu-related deaths in El Paso now stands at 18, and a boy under the age of 5 is one of the latest victims of the virus.

On Thursday, the city of El Paso Department of Public Health confirmed three more flu-related deaths.

Health officials said the boy who died had underlying medical conditions. A woman in her 40s is the first flu-related death involving an individual without underlying medical conditions, the public health department said.

“The influenza disease can kill healthy people. It is a highly aggressive disease with major complications,” said Fernando Gonzalez, of the Department of Public Health.

A woman in her 60s, who had underlying medical conditions, also died as a result of complications related to the flu.

“The flu is a year-round disease, so we need to take care of ourselves and our dear ones year-round,” Gonzalez said.

Gonzalez advised people to get the flu shot, adding it is no too late this season.

Dr. Andres Enriquez, with Franklin Medical Center, agreed.

“What I tell most patients is: Get the vaccine, because we want that herd immunity. That herd immunity is: If we can get everyone vaccinated it makes a bubble around those people who can actually get sick or die,” Enriquez said.

Health experts said there are some telltale differences between the flu and a cold.

“The one thing almost all patients tell me about the flu is that they feel like their body has been beaten up. They are just dead tired. Their body aches. All their muscles ache. They have a low-grade fever,” Enriquez said.

Enriquez suggests calling your doctor as soon as you suspect you have the flu. And if you are diagnosed, his is advice is: “Stay home. Don’t go to work if you are sick or under treatment. Don’t go to school. Don’t go to crowded places because this disease transmits easily to other persons.”

The table below describes all 18 confirmed flu-related cases reported so far this season: