The first Bay Area flu-related death of the season was reported in Santa Clara County, a county health officer said Thursday.

A 98-year-old area woman died earlier this month from the flu and pneumonia, Santa Clara County Health Officer Dr. Martin Fenstersheib said.

"It's not unusual to see someone of that age die from the flu," he said.

Statewide there have been four flu-related deaths of people under the age of 65 recorded since flu season started at the end of 2012, Fenstersheib said.

State health officials said one death occurred in the Central Valley, two in the greater Los Angeles area, and one in the Sacramento area.

Fenstersheib said the state keeps track of more unusual situations, such as younger residents impacted by the influenza virus.

This year's flu season has arrived particularly early with one strain of the virus, H3N2, hitting people harder than past years.

In California the peak of flu season is typically in February, according to health officials.

The flu vaccine is recommended to ward off the respiratory viral infection, especially for young children, the elderly and infirm.

Some Bay Area retail pharmacies are offering free vaccines for children ages 4 through 18 until Jan. 31. Information about locations can be found at shootheflu.org.

— Bay City News Service

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