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First Oklahoma flu death this season reported in Tulsa County

A person in Tulsa County died from a flu-related illness, the first Oklahoma death this flu season. The U.S. is experiencing an early flu season and will continue to see the number of flu cases rise, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

FROM STAFF REPORTS | Modified: December 27, 2012 at 12:21 pm | Published: December 27, 2012

A person in Tulsa County is the first person to die from flu-related illness since the start of Oklahoma's flu season.

The person was between 19 and 64 years old. This was the only information released by the state Health Department.

Last week, 21 people in Oklahoma were hospitalized because of the flu. There have been 75 residents reported hospitalized because of the flu since Sept. 30, the start of the flu season.

Nationwide, flu activity is continuing to increase as the U.S. sees an early flu season, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Flu shots are available in Oklahoma at county health departments, physician's offices and many pharmacies. Health departments offer the shot at reduced or no cost to some low-income residents who qualify.