RALEIGH, N.C. (WNCN) — The first death of the 2025-26 flu season in North Carolina was announced by the Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday.
According to the NCDHHS, an adult in the western part of the state died during the first week of October due to complications from the flu.
State officials declined to release more information to protect the privacy of the individual’s family.
“This is a sad reminder that flu infections can be serious and, in some cases, even fatal,” state epidemiologist Zack Moore said in a statement. “We encourage everyone to take preventative measures against flu and other respiratory illnesses, like getting your yearly flu shot, regularly washing hands, covering your cough, and staying home when sick to avoid infecting others.”
North Carolina experienced 544 flu-related deaths during last year’s season, the highest number since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. There were 280 pediatric flu death nationally last year, also the highest since 2009. 89% of the children who died were not fully vaccinated against the flu and about half had no known high-risk conditions, according to the NCDHHS.
Matthew Sockol
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