The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services recently announced the first pediatric death due to flu in the 2023-2024 season. The child, from western North Carolina, succumbed to complications from influenza. To respect the family’s privacy, further details are withheld.
“We extend our sincere condolences to this child’s family after their tragic loss,” said NCDHHS State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore in a press release. “Vaccination is the most effective protection against serious illness, hospitalization and death from flu, RSV and COVID-19 infections, and there is still time to protect children this respiratory virus season.”
The state is experiencing an increase in flu and RSV cases, along with ongoing COVID-19 activity. So far, five adults in North Carolina have died from the flu this season. Nationally, one other pediatric flu death has been reported as of November 11, 2023, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
Children, particularly those under 5 years of age or those with chronic conditions like asthma or diabetes, are at increased risk of severe flu complications. The CDC advises flu vaccinations for all children over 6 months and updated COVID-19 vaccines for those 5 years and older. Infants 6 months to 4 years old require multiple COVID-19 vaccine doses.
Healthcare providers can advise parents on protecting infants from severe RSV, including vaccination during late pregnancy. Early testing and treatment are key in managing flu and COVID-19 in children, and treatment is most effective when started early in the illness.
To prevent the spread of respiratory viruses, it’s recommended to stay home when sick, use separate rooms and bathrooms if possible, avoid contact with others, not share personal items, wear masks around people, cover coughs and sneezes, wash hands frequently, avoid touching the face, and regularly clean and disinfect surfaces.
For more information on flu and COVID-19, including vaccine, testing, and treatment availability, the public can visit www.vaccines.gov, www.flu.ncdhhs.gov, or covid.19.ncdhhs.gov. NCDHHS also provides weekly updates on respiratory viruses through the Respiratory Virus Surveillance Dashboard.
