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Age of victims, not number of deaths, makes this year's flu season unusual in Central New York

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  • Age of victims, not number of deaths, makes this year's flu season unusual in Central New York

    Age of victims, not number of deaths, makes this year's flu season unusual in Central New York
    James T. Mulder | jmulder@syracuse.com By James T. Mulder | jmulder@syracuse.com
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    on February 07, 2014 at 5:23 PM, updated February 07, 2014 at 5:53 PM

    Syracuse, N.Y. -- What is unusual about this year's flu season in Central New York is not the number of deaths, but the age of the people the virus is killing, says Dr. Cynthia Morrow, Onondaga County's health commissioner.

    There have been seven reported flu deaths in Onondaga, Madison and Oswego counties.

    On average Onondaga County sees about five flu deaths each year, Morrow said. Typically more than 90 percent of the deaths occur in people over 65, she said.

    This year all of Central New York flu deaths have occurred in middle-aged people. That's because the most widely circulating flu strain, H1N1, is disproportionately affecting young and middle-aged adults nationwide, Morrow said. Some of the people who died had not been vaccinated.
    ...
    Twitter: @RonanKelly13
    The views expressed are mine alone and do not represent the views of my employer or any other person or organization.
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