The Indiana Department of Health encourages Hoosiers to protect themselves against influenza (flu) after confirming the first flu-related death of the 2025-26 season.
No additional information about the patient will be released due to privacy laws.
During flu season, which typically runs from October through May, hundreds of people become ill from influenza. Some cases are fatal. More than 660 Hoosiers died after contracting influenza during the 2024-25 flu season.
“Each year we want to stress the importance of taking steps to prevent influenza, which can quickly become a serious illness for some Hoosiers and can even be life-threatening,” said State Health Commissioner Lindsay Weaver, M.D., FACEP.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends everyone age 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each year. Annual flu vaccines are available and are safe and effective protection against becoming seriously ill. The CDC also recommends early vaccination as it takes about two weeks for the antibodies which protect against flu to develop in the body and holiday season when families gather indoors is approaching.
People can also help prevent the spread of flu by practicing the “Three Cs” to help prevent the spread of flu and other infectious diseases:
- Clean: Properly wash hands with warm, soapy water
- Cover: Cover your cough and sneeze with your arm or disposable tissue
- Contain: Stay home from school or work when you are sick to prevent the spread of germs.
While anyone can get the flu, there are some people who are at higher risk of serious flu-related complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization and death. Pregnant women, young children (especially those too young to get vaccinated), people who are immunocompromised or who have certain chronic illnesses, and the elderly are most at risk for complications from flu. It is especially important for these individuals to receive an annual flu vaccine.
Common signs and symptoms of the flu include:
- fever of 100° Fahrenheit or higher
- cough
- sore throat
- headache
- fatigue
- muscle aches
- runny or stuffy nose
Flu season data is reflected on the IDOH influenza dashboard each week and is updated on Mondays. Due to reporting timeframes, this death will be reflected in the Nov. 3 update. The dashboard also contains historical flu surveillance data, broken down by county, region and age group.
Vandivier seeks House District 42 seat
Stay alert and share the road with farm equipment this fall
Putnam County Sheriff's Office investigating fatal crash
Gas prices on the rise in Indiana
Callans seeks seat on Rockville Town Board
Burkett eyes Vermillion County Council District 3 Seat
IDHS warns against disaster assistance fraud
Zamani seeks Vermillion County District 4 seat
USDA announces record payments of $13.8 billion for 2025 crop year revenue and price safety net programs
Nucor Corporation chooses additional expansion in Crawfordsville
Applications open for Indiana's Advanced Nuclear Ready Communities Program
USPS schedule for weekend into Columbus Day
Equipment investments keep working for Indiana habitat
Smith looks to punch ticket to Rockville Town Board seat
Pair of motorcycle crashes keep Parke County Sheriff's deputies busy
Parke Heritage Middle School awarded multi-million dollar Next Generation School Improvement Grant from IDOE
