The Register Citizen (Torrington, CT)
First child flu death reported in Conn.
A child died earlier this week from the flu, the state Department of Health announced Friday.
It’s the first child flu-related death this season.
The death brings the total number of flu-related deaths this season in the state to 29.
“Our hearts go out to the family of this child,” Raul Pino, the health department commissioner, said in a statement. “For confidentiality reasons, I can’t provide any details about this child’s illness. I can, however, emphasize the importance of vaccinating children against influenza. In Connecticut, there have been 12-flu associated pediatric deaths from the 2005-06 season through the 2017-18 season. Only two of these cases (17 percent) had evidence of current flu vaccination.”
Influenza associated deaths of 18 years or younger have been reported in the state since 2005.
The health department said children younger than 5—especially those younger than 2 or those with long-term medical conditions—are at risk of serious flu-related complications, including pneumonia, or worsening of medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and diseases of the heart and nervous systems. Rarely, flu conditions can lead to death.
It is especially important that all children be vaccinated for influenza starting at six months.
Approximately 80 percent of children who die from influenza nationally, and
“Our hearts go out to the family of this child.”
Raul Pino, the health department commissioner
in Connecticut, were not vaccinated for the flu.
Pino urged state residents to get a flu shot for the remainder of the season.
“Everyone can help prevent the spread of flu by doing simple preventive practices such as covering your cough and sneeze and washing hands frequently. Teaching and reminding children of this importance health practice is also very important,” Pino said,
Of the 29 flu-associated deaths, 17 were people over 65 years old, nine
have been people 50 to 64 years old and three have been people between 25 and 49 years old.
Flu remains widespread in the state, according to the department of health.
To date, a total of 1,668 hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza admitted during the current season.
A total of 4,540 influenza positive laboratory tests have been reported during the current season: A county breakdown includes New Haven (1,287), Hartford County (1,181), Fairfield (970), Middlesex (274), New London (261), Litchfield (226), Windham (174), Tolland (91), and 76 in currently unknown counties.