Indiana Health Officials Confirm its First Flu Death of the 2024-25 Season

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STATEWIDE — Indiana just announced its first death from the flu of the 2024-2025 season.  

The Indiana Department of Health is urging Hoosiers to take precautions against the flu.  

Flu season runs from October to May, with many Hoosiers getting sick from the flu every year. The flu, also known as influenza, caused 270 deaths of Indiana Hoosiers during the 2023-2024 flu season.  

State Health Commissioner Dr. Lindsay Weaver stressed the importance of prevention, advising Hoosiers to wash their hands frequently, avoid touching their faces, and stay home if they feel sick. “These steps can prevent flu from becoming a serious or life-threatening illness,” Weaver said.  

The CDC recommends annual flu vaccines for everyone six months and older, especially early in the season, as it takes about two weeks for the vaccine to build immunity. This is important with the holiday season approaching, as families spend more time indoors together.  

Practicing the “Three Cs” can also help reduce flu transmission:  

• Clean: Wash hands thoroughly with warm, soapy water.  

• Cover: Use your arm or a tissue to cover coughs and sneezes.  

• Contain: Stay home when sick to avoid spreading germs.  

Certain groups, including pregnant women, young children, the elderly, and people with chronic health conditions or weakened immune systems, are more vulnerable to severe flu complications like pneumonia or hospitalization. For these groups, flu shots are especially important.  

Flu symptoms often include fever, cough, sore throat, fatigue, headaches, muscle aches, and a runny or stuffy nose. For updated flu statistics and trends, Hoosiers can visit the IDOH influenza dashboard, which is updated every Friday (or Monday following holidays).