Delaware seeing highest number of confirmed flu cases in more than a decade

Health officials in Delaware say three more Delawareans have died from flu-related causes, bringing this flu season's death total to 11.

Three elderly women passed away from the flu in the second and third weeks of March, one from each of Delaware's three counties, officials said. Each woman reportedly had underlying health conditions in addition to the flu.

The Delaware Division of Public Health says while this season's death toll is nearly double what is was last year, it expected to stay lower than the deadly 2014-2015 season that had 28 fatalities. However, officials say the number of lab-confirmed cases of the flu this season is the highest in more than 10 years, with 3,366 laboratory-confirmed cases in the week ending on March 18th.

"It's an unpredictable disease and can impact people differently every year," DPH Director Dr. Karyl Rattay said. "Given we know that we are seeing the highest number of cases in a decade, it's important the people continue to take precautions to prevent the illness."

Though health officials say now is the time when the flu season begins to wind down, new cases and deaths are still possible into April. The usual practices to prevent spreading illness are encouraged, such as frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home from work or school when sick. DPH additionally says people should call rather than visit their doctor if they are experiencing flu-like symptoms, as anti-viral medication can often be prescribed by phone.

More information on preventing and treating influenza can be found at the Division of Public Health's website.