Play Live Radio
Next Up:
0:00
0:00
0:00 0:00
Available On Air Stations

5th Person To Die from Influenza Reported in NM

SANTA FE, N.M. (AP) — Another flu death is being reported in New Mexico.

The state Department of Health says a 69-year-old woman from Bernalillo County has become the fifth person to die from influenza so far this flu season.

All of the victims have been between the ages of 45 and 79.

Meanwhile, health officials say the number of people seeing their doctor for influenza-like illnesses has decreased over the past three weeks.

The predominant circulating flu strain in New Mexico and the United States is influenza H1N1.

The strain was first identified in 2009 and health officials say it may cause severe illness even in healthy young adults.