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Announcing first flu death, state DHHS urges people to get shots

By Lightning Reports, Published: October 8, 2025

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services on Friday announced the first reported flu-related death of the 2025-2026 flu season, an adult in the western part of the state who died due to complications of flu during the first week of October. To protect the privacy of the family, no additional information will be released, the agency said.


"This is a sad reminder that flu infections can be serious and, in some cases, even fatal," said State Epidemiologist Zack Moore. "We encourage everyone to take preventative measures against flu and other respiratory illnesses like getting your yearly flu shot, regularly washing hands, covering your cough and staying home when sick to avoid infecting others."

Flu, Covid-19 and respiratory syncytial virus are expected to increase over the coming months. Vaccinations are the best way to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death from these infections. Vaccinations are especially important for those at higher risk of severe respiratory disease, including people 65 years and older, children younger than 5, pregnant women, those with a weakened immune system and those with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

During last year’s respiratory virus season, North Carolina reported the highest number of flu-associated deaths reported (544) since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. Last season also saw the highest number of pediatric flu deaths nationally since the 2009 H1N1 pandemic (280); approximately half of those children had no known high-risk conditions and 89% were not fully vaccinated against flu.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend all people six months and older receive a seasonal flu vaccine. COVID-19 vaccines are also recommended for everyone 6 months of age and older if an individual or parent/guardian chooses to get one for themself or their child after discussion with a doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider. RSV vaccinations are recommended to protect older adults 75 years and older, adults 50-74 years who are at increased risk of severe RSV, and for pregnant women during weeks 32 through 36 of pregnancy to protect infants. Parents should talk with their health care provider about other options to protect infants from severe RSV disease. A summary of flu, COVID-19 and RSV vaccine recommendations for 2025-26 is available from the Common Health Coalition.