On Oct. 8, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services announced the first flu-related death of the 2025-2026 flu season, an adult in western North Carolina.
A NCDHHS press release said the adult died due to complications of the flu in the first week of October.
During last year’s respiratory virus season, N.C. had 544 flu-associated deaths, the highest number reported since the H1N1 pandemic, according to NCDHHS.
NCDHHS advises that vaccinations are the best way to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death from Flu, Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), which are expected to increase over the coming months.
Click for a respiratory virus surveillance summary from NCDHHS.
Oct. 8. The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported that an adult in western North Carolina had died from the flu during the 2025–2026 season.
According to a news release from NCDHHS, the adult passed away in the first week of October as a result of flu-related complications. To preserve the privacy of the family, no further information will be shared.
In the statement, State Epidemiologist Zack Moore, M.D, MPH, stated, “This is a sad reminder that flu infections can be serious and, in some cases, even fatal.”. “We advise everyone to protect themselves from the flu and other respiratory diseases by getting vaccinated each year, washing their hands frequently, covering their cough, and staying at home when ill to avoid spreading the illness to others. “..”.
In the respiratory virus season of the previous year, N. A. had 544 deaths linked to the flu, the most since the H1N1 pandemic, according to NCDHHS.
Vaccinations are the best way to prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), COVID-19, and flu, which are predicted to rise in the upcoming months, according to NCDHHS.
To view the Common Health Coalition’s 2025–2026 vaccine recommendations, click here.
The news release states that pharmacies, private medical offices, certain federally qualified health care facilities, and local health departments can provide the flu, COVID-19, and RSV vaccines.
The State Health Director of NCDHHS, Dr. Larry Greenblatt, also issued Standing Orders permitting retail pharmacists throughout N. C. should get tested for the flu and start taking the right drugs right away to lessen the severity of the sickness.
Click to learn more about respiratory viruses, including how to get tested, get vaccinated, and get treatment. To view an overview of NCDHHS’s respiratory virus surveillance, click.
