Chicago State’s First Pediatric Influenza Death; Child Dies Of Flu

Incident

A child died of flu in Chicago, Illinois. First childhood flu death this season, according to a Chicago Department of Public Health news release.

The department confirmed Thursday’s death, but the minor died last week. Officials would not confirm the child’s exact date or age.

Previous Reports

According to the reports of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there have been 27 influenza-related deaths of children throughout the country so far this season. In the 2018-19 season, 143 influenza-linked deaths were reported in the United States. From 2017 to 2018, 187 flu-related deaths occurred.

Influenza Or Flu

Influenza or flu is a respiratory disease caused by a virus that, according to the CDC, can be contagious. The signs range from cough to sore throat.

It can be hard to predict how severe influenza in the United States could spread every season. Looking at the results of influenza in Australia and elsewhere in the Southern Hemisphere six months before the United States, the medical experts felt there was a particularly harsh risk this season.

Although it is hard to say when influenza occurs in different parts of the country, the CDC states that influenza cases tend to rise from December to February.

According to a department newsletter update, city officials considered the risk for influenza as high as last Friday. There have been reports of 16 people hospitalized from 22 to 28 December for influenza-related diseases.

Precautions

In October, the flu season begins and ends in May. Health officials say that the best way to prevent influenza is to get a flu vaccine every season. In a prepared statement, Allison Arwady, the acting public health commissioner in the city, urged the public to be vaccinated.

“People should know that the flu vaccine is not too tard, it’s safe, effective, and universally available,” said Arwady in a statement. Kids and adults with no medical insurance can have a free grip fired through the public health department in Chicago through one of five clinics throughout the city.