San Mateo County is mourning the flu-related death of an adolescent last December, marking the second such tragedy in the county in 2025. Health officials have confirmed that the young patient had not received the flu shot, and it is unclear if any underlying health issues were a factor. "We are deeply saddened by the loss of a young person in our community to influenza," said Dr. Kismet Baldwin-Santana, San Mateo County health officer, San Mateo County reported.
Influenza can be severe, with the risk increasing for certain segments of the population, including seniors, those with chronic conditions, pregnant women, and young children. Symptoms involve fever, cough, and possible muscle aches and fatigue. Health professionals can provide antiviral meds, which shorten and mitigate the illness if taken promptly. Despite the rise in flu cases, it's not too late to get vaccinated, which is the best safeguard against severe flu outcomes, officials urge.
The Bay Area is currently experiencing a spike in flu activity, according to statistics from San Mateo County health officials. There has been a surge in emergency department visits due to the flu, and test positivity rates are increasing. For the week of December 21-27, 2025, the county saw 314 flu-related emergency room visits and a 15.4 percent test positivity rate—an alarming uptick of 20 percent from the prior week.
Comparatively, 18 influenza-related deaths of people under 65 were recorded in the 2024-25 season and 9 the year before. Respiratory viruses are prevalent during the fall and winter periods, making vaccinations for flu, RSV, and COVID-19 vital in preventing severe disease. "Vaccination remains our strongest protection," Dr. Baldwin-Santana told the San Mateo County. "Getting the flu shot helps protect not only yourself but also your family, classmates and neighbors."
