State and federal health officials are warning this flu season could be a bad one.
Veronica Daehn Harvey, with the Mesa County Health Department, says a resident has died from complications from the illness.
She says the last time the county saw a flu-related death was three years ago.
"So far this flu season in Mesa County we've had 31 people hospitalized with complications of influenza," Harvey says. "The [typical] average for December is 4.4 cases so it is quite a bit higher than our [normal] average. And the reason for that is that the vaccine this year unfortunately isn't a great match for the strain of flu that’s been circulated."
The most recent data shows there have been more than 510 flu-associated hospitalizations in Colorado so far this season.
Health officials say you can reduce the spread of the illness by covering when you cough or sneeze, washing your hands, and staying home if you are sick.
Harvey says even though this year’s flu vaccine is not as effective as hoped health officials still recommend people get one.