SAN DIEGO — Tragedy has struck as a fourth teenager in San Diego has succumbed to the flu, highlighting the severity of this flu season, as reported by the County of San Diego.

None of the affected teens had been vaccinated against the flu, and notably, two of the four were previously healthy with no pre-existing medical conditions. They experienced rapid deterioration, succumbing to the illness within just a few days. CBS 8 reached out to medical professionals who emphasized the seriousness of the current flu outbreak in the county.

Experts indicate that the influenza virus is spreading rapidly across the country and is expected to remain highly contagious for at least a month longer.

According to Mark Beatty, the County’s Assistant Medical Director in Epidemiology and Immunization Services, “We are witnessing flu case numbers that we haven’t seen in several seasons.”

As of now, 30,000 influenza cases have been confirmed in San Diego County. In stark contrast, only 13,000 cases were recorded in 2021. Tragically, 105 individuals have died this season, including four teenagers, while historically, the average annual teen flu fatalities range from one to two.

Beatty expressed his concerns, stating, “As a parent and pediatrician, it’s deeply unsettling.”

The County has confirmed the identities of the deceased, including a healthy 14-year-old girl of mixed race from South County, a healthy 17-year-old girl from inland North County, a 15-year-old Hispanic boy from coastal North County with underlying health issues, and a 16-year-old Black boy from coastal North County, who also had health complications.

CBS 8 consulted with the Medical Director of Infectious Diseases at Rady Children’s Hospital regarding when it’s necessary to see a healthcare professional.

Dr. Alice Pong advised, “Consult a doctor if you experience persistent fevers, which may indicate a bacterial infection, or if you’re having difficulty breathing or showing unusual behavior.”

Once again, only two local teens had pre-existing conditions, and notably, none were vaccinated. Vaccination rates across the county have decreased; 997,000 flu shots have been administered so far, in comparison to over one million in 2024. The flu vaccine typically takes about a week to become effective and generally offers 40-50% efficacy in preventing serious outcomes.

Dr. Pong emphasized, “It’s not too late to get vaccinated, stay home if you’re feeling unwell, and practice hand hygiene — the guidelines we followed during COVID are equally effective for influenza.”

Among the 105 influenza-related deaths in our county, a majority were individuals over the age of 50. The teenagers who passed away all sought medical attention at hospitals, but by then, it was too late for effective intervention.

Dr. Pong noted that “all emergency rooms and urgent care facilities are extremely busy, and wait times are long.”

This flu season has tragically resulted in more teenage fatalities than were recorded throughout the entire COVID-19 pandemic, which accounted for three teenage deaths compared to the current flu-related losses of four young lives.