TX Corrections Officer Dies Suddenly From Flu
KERR COUNTY, Texas Jan 5 2020 The flu is really taking off in the area.
“Flu activity is still increasing in San Antonio,” said Jason Bowling, Associate Professor of infectious diseases at UT Health San Antonio.
Even people who are seemingly healthy and received the flu shot are still getting sick.
The latest numbers reveal that since September, 1,124 Texans have died from pneumonia or the flu.
One of them was Kerr County Corrections Officer, Stephen Walters.
Friends, family, and coworkers of CO Walters were honoring him after he died from complications from the flu on Sunday.
“I know he’s got a little boy and then two older girls and his wife and they’re, they’re having a hard time because it wasn’t expected,” Sheriff Rusty Hierholzer said.
On Friday, the flags at the Kerr County Sheriff’s Office were flying at half-staff.
Friends, family, and coworkers of CO Walters were honoring him after he died from complications from the flu on Sunday.
“I figured well, you know, he’ll get over it he’s young, he’s strong you’ll get over it,” Sheriff Hierholzer said.
His sudden death has many people confused, including Sheriff Hierholzer.
Even people who are seemingly healthy and received the flu shot are still getting sick. One of them was Kerr County Corrections Officer, Stephen Walters.
“He had the flu shot, you know, he and his wife both had the flu shot and they were both diagnosed later with type A flu,” Hierholzer said.
“Every year the flu vaccine is a little bit variable in its effectiveness,” Bowling said.
But Bowling said getting a shot doesn’t guarantee that people won’t catch the flu.
“Even though if they’ve if they’ve had the flu vaccine, they generally tend to have a less severe illness,” Bowling said.
But he said there are always exceptions during flu season.
“Even people that don’t have any risk factors can get very sick from influenza and be admitted to the hospital,” Bowling said.
Walters’ sudden death has many people confused, including Sheriff Hierholzer.
He said the best advice he has is to seek medical attention early.
“Because if you get started on flu medicines within the first 48 hours, you’re going to get the most benefit from those medicines,” Bowling said.
The Kerr County Sheriff’s Office opened an account for the Walters family.
If you’d like to help you can donate at any Security State Bank & Trust location under the Stephen Walters Benefit Account.
