Nine-year-old boy ‘youngest to die from flu’

A BOY of nine is thought to be the youngest person to have died from flu this winter.

The youngster, of Exeter in Devon, tested positive for the virus and died in hospital. His parents asked for him to not be named.

His death comes after official figures yesterday revealed 191 have died from the outbreak across the UK, with aggressive ‘Japanese’ and ‘Aussie’ strains to blame.

Statistics suggest the south of England is the worst affected region.

Figures also show the number of deaths in England and Wales each week has reached the highest number yet – with flu considered responsible.

The boy, in Year 5, was just older than the threshold for a free NHS flu vaccine.

Paying tribute, the head of his school said: ‘He was gifted academically, particularly in maths where he excelled... He always had a real hunger to learn and a desire to do well.’ It comes after heartbroken parents yesterday revealed their 12-year-old son, Dylan Day from Stoke-on-Trent, lost his battle with the flu.

Professor Paul Cosford, Public Health England medical director, said: ‘In terms of hospital admission, this is the most significant flu season since the winter of 2010/11.’