The New Mexico Department of Health confirmed the first flu-related death of the 2019-20 season Oct. 2.
The victim was a 90-year-old resident of Bernalillo County, N.M. The flu case marks one of five confirmed in the state, all of which occurred in adults.
The death comes about three weeks after California health officials reported the death of a 4-year-old patient who tested positive for flu.
Many health officials are predicting this flu season to be severe, based on the results of the Southern Hemisphere's flu season, which ended in September.