Local

Another flu victim in critical condition in Brevard County

TITUSVILLE, Fla. — The flu outbreak in one part of central Florida has another man fighting for his life.

Three people in Brevard County are now on life support after flu cases spiked significantly in the last week.

The latest victim is a 47-year-old man who is in critical condition at Parrish Medical Center in Titusville.

A 63-year-old man and 25-year-old woman are also in critical condition.

Numerous clinics told Channel 9 on Thursday that they've treated dozens of patients this week, mainly for H1N1.

Dr. Christopher Galloway said it's a cough and respiratory infection associated with the flu that can land victims in the hospital.

"If the cough gets a lot worse, sometimes tightness in the chest, but usually the critically ill people tend to have a respiratory problem," said Galloway.

One clinic said 17 people tested positive for the flu in the past three days.

The health department in Brevard County said they haven't seen such severe cases so quickly since 2009.

The department also points out the flu is attacking a younger population.

The health department said years ago they would order 15,000 flu shots, but now they order only about 2,000 because flu shots are available at so many other places.