1st Pediatric Flu-Related Death Reported In CT

HARTFORD, CT – Very sad news to share this afternoon. State Department of Public Health officials announced that a child has died as a result of the flu this week. This is the first pediatric death involving a Connecticut child during this flu season.

“Our hearts go out to the family of this child. For confidentiality reasons, I can’t provide you with any additional details about this child’s illness,” said Commissioner Raul Pino in a prepared statement. “I can, however, emphasize the importance of vaccinating children against influenza. In Connecticut, there have been reported 12 flu-associated pediatric deaths from the 2005-06 flu season through the 2017- 18 season. Only two of these cases (17%) had evidence of current flu vaccination."

Influenza associated deaths of individuals 18 years of age or younger have been reportable in Connecticut since January 2005. Children younger than 5 years of age –especially those younger than 2 years old or those with long-term medical conditions – are at risk of serious flu-related complications, including pneumonia, or worsening of long-term medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, and diseases of the heart and nervous system. Rarely, flu complications can lead to death.

Health officials say it is especially important that all children be vaccinated for influenza, starting at 6 months of age, since even apparently healthy children can become very ill and die from the flu. Approximately 80 percent of children who die from influenza nationally and in Connecticut were not vaccinated for flu. Vaccination is particularly important for young children and those with long-term health conditions.

"Getting your annual flu shot is also essential for people who are in contact with young or high risk children. Infants younger than six months of age are too young to be vaccinated themselves
and are high risk for becoming infected from unvaccinated people," state health officials said.

To date, a total of 1,668 hospitalized patients with laboratory-confirmed influenza admitted during the current season (August 26 to February 16, 2019) have been reported. A total of 29 deaths have been reported in Connecticut during this flu season so far.

A total of 4,540 influenza positive laboratory tests have been reported during the current season: 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.

Pino said he continues to “urge residents to get a flu shot to ensure protection through the remainder of the season. It is not too late to protect your health.”

He also added that, “Everyone can help prevent the spread of flu by doing simple preventative practices such a covering your cough and sneeze and washing hands frequently. Teaching and reminding children of this important health practice is also very important.”

Parents are encouraged to call their health care professional if their child develops flu symptoms, such as sudden fever, aching muscles, sore throat, coughing, and headache. They might prescribe antiviral medications which can lessen the duration and severity of the illness. Antiviral medications are most effective when they are started as soon as possible after the illness starts.
Serious flu-related illness can develop very quickly in children so parents and child-care providers should closely monitor children for signs of severe illness.

Pino emphasized “Let’s all do our part to protect the children of Connecticut from influenza."