Watch CBS News

Southern California Flu Deaths At 95

LOS ANGELES (CBSLA.com) — Despite the above-average temperatures throughout most of the month, doctors say Southern California is in the midst of a flu epidemic with 95 deaths so far this season.

"We're seeing flu like illnesses at a 70 percent increase compared to our baseline what we would see," Mission Hospital emergency room Dr. Jim Keaney said.

Southern California Flu Death Toll At 95

One of this season's challenges is the prevalence of the H1N1 flu strain.

"That's the flu that affects healthy people and kind of the middle age group a little bit more than the average flu," Keaney said.

At this time last year, health officials say California had nine flu-related deaths.

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.