LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) — State health officials say six people have died in Arkansas from influenza so far this flu season.
The Arkansas Department of Health says the deaths have all occurred in people 45 years old or older. According to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, that’s twice the number of people who had died at the same point in the season last year.
Last season, 120 deaths in the state were attributed to the flu. The flu season generally runs from October through May.
Health officials say influenza B is more common this season than influenza A. Jennifer Dillaha, the Health Department’s medical director for immunizations and outbreak response, said four of the six deaths this year involved type-B influenza.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Arkansas is among seven states reporting moderate flu activity. Neighboring Texas, Louisiana and Mississippi were reporting high levels of flu activity, according to the CDC.
