Pennsylvania child dies of the flu
Cases of flu are still on the rise in Pennsylvania.
Pennsylvania state health officials have confirmed the first pediatric death associated with the flu this season.
The death was reported to the state in the last week, said Nate Wardle, press secretary for the Department of Health. Because of privacy laws, no other information, including the child’s exact age, underlying health conditions, or whether the child had been vaccinated will be released, he said.
There have also been 24 adult flu deaths this season, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health.
During the last week, the flu has been increasing in all parts of the state, and is considered widespread, with the highest activity reported in the southeast and northwest regions. As of Jan. 26, there have been a total of 19,757 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases, the state reported.
New Jersey is one of the states hardest hit by this year’s flu, the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported.
In late December, health officials confirmed the state’s first pediatric death. Currently, the incidence of influenza is considered to be high throughout the Garden State.
Nationally, there have been 22 influenza-associated pediatric deaths this season, the CDC reported.
During last year’s flu season, there were 185 pediatric deaths associated with illness, the CDC reported. Though February usually is the peak month for flu cases, the season can extend into late April or early May.