SD records 39 flu deaths so far in 2023-24 season

SIOUX FALLS, S.D. (KELO) — More than 6,000 cases of the flu have been recorded in South Dakota, according to data kept by the Department of Health (DOH) , with 39 cases being reported as lethal.

According to further DOH data, there have been a total of 16,275 cases of the flu recorded this season, as of March 20, 2024.

As the most populous county in the state, it is unsurprising that Minnehaha County has the most cases, with 4,197 recorded, but looking at the percentage of rapid antigen tests that come back positive, we see a different outlook.

Sorting data by percentage of positive tests, the counties most impacted are Harding and Lincoln, each at 50% positivity, with 16 and 1,032 cases respectively. Minnehaha’s rate is 30.28%.

KELOLAND News spoke with Avera’s Dr. Chad Thury on Tuesday, who told us that 39 deaths at this point in the year is not necessarily uncommon and is in fact more of a return to the mean of recent years.

A review of DOH data from previous seasons shows this. For the 2022-23 season, for instance, a total of 38 deaths were tallied. In 2019-20, the number was 35 deaths.

What makes the deaths this year stand out are the seasons of 2020-22, where we saw a total of 24 deaths over two seasons; two in 2020-21 and 22 in 2021-22.

“Outside of 2020-2021, when COVID hit — we kind of had that down year with influenza — we generally are in the 30s for influenza deaths,” said Thury. “I would say this flu season has probably been the most typical one we’ve probably had in the last three years.”

Thury also says that cases at this point appear to be slowing down a bit.

“Regionally, influenza numbers look like they’re coming down,” Thury said. “We had a pretty good peak there through February and early March.”

One change from recent years Thury says is the vaccination rate is slightly down. “If you look at our vaccination rates regionally — we’re probably down about 4-5% (compared to the past two seasons),” he said.

Thury noted that the percentage of people 65-years-old and up has stayed more or less stable, meaning it is people younger than 65 who are declining in vaccination rate.

In terms of medicating for a flu, Thury says the big thing to account for is fever, advocating the use of Tylenol and ibuprofen to keep temperatures down.

As for when you should seek outside medical treatment for flu symptoms, Thury said those who experience high fevers, feel lethargic, have trouble breathing and are unable to keep fluids down should seek help, as should those with pre-existing conditions that put them at risk of complications from influenza, such as those who are older or immunocompromised.

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