First flu death of season reported in Arkansas Department of Health weekly report

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The Arkansas Department of Health reported its first death due to flu of the season in its Wednesday report.

The ADH report was the second weekly report of the October-April 2024-2025 flu season. The Wednesday report shows overall flu activity in the state is minimal at 1 out of the 13-point scale.

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No flu outbreaks have been reported in any nursing home or congregate setting. Emergency rooms report few patient visits for flu or COVID-19, both under 2% of total visits, while RSV accounts for .08% of emergency room visits.

ADH officials said Arkansas saw 135 patient deaths in the 2023 flu season, with 66% of the deaths among non-vaccinated patients, according to ADH officials.

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The report also stated that 22 patient deaths due to COVID-19 were reported in Arkansas through the week ending Oct.12. Since Jan. 1, the state has reported 412 patients succumbing to coronavirus and a total of 761 patient deaths in 2021.

Patient deaths due to pneumonia are 57 for the week ending Oct. 12.

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The report noted that the ADH receives reports on only a fraction of flu and COVID-19 since only hospitalizations, deaths and outbreaks are reported. RSV has no reporting requirements, officials said.