Health department confirms 15 Pittsburgh-area flu deaths

PITTSBURGH (AP) – The Allegheny County Health Department says 15 people have now died from the flu in the Pittsburgh area, but that this season’s outbreak seems to be slowing down.

All of the victims were at least 55 and most had other health problems. Fifteen people died last flu season, and more deaths are possible this season.

Still, officials say this is one of the worst flu seasons in recent memory with nearly 4,000 cases reported.

But Kristen Mertz, a health department epidemiologist says, “It looks like flu may have peaked at the very beginning of January. That is what we are seeing regionally and nationwide.”

Health officials are still recommending that people get vaccinated and otherwise use common-sense methods, like washing their hands more frequently, to avoid the virus.