2nd Possible Flu-Related Death In NJ As Cases Hit 10,000

The state Department of Health has confirmed that a 6-year-old girl in New Jersey died Monday after getting sick with the flu as the outbreak continues to skyrocket in New Jersey. The total number of cases have eclipsed 10,000, the most in more than a decade.

The girl was a kindergarten student at the Lincoln School in North Bergen, according to school officials, and the girl's death has been confirmed as the second flu-related mortality – both of them involving children – in New Jersey this season.

The department announced Tuesday that it has received notification of a hospital-confirmed pediatric flu-associated death. In a news release, the department said its lab will conduct a confirmatory test.

Acting Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal and Acting Commissioner of Education Dr. Lamont Repollet said they were saddened to learn of the death of the child and extend their sympathies to family and friends.

“Stopping the spread of the flu remains a critical public health priority, which is why we have recently launched a significant public awareness campaign within my first few weeks on the job. We take every reported case of a pediatric flu-associated death very seriously,” said Elnahal.

The health department's weekly Influenza report, meanwhile, says New Jersey has had 10,418 flu cases since the season began on Oct. 7. That's nearly double last year's February figure and a 42 percent increase (3,086 cases) from the week before.

Here are the cases reported for each county as of Feb. 3:

North Bergen school officials, meanwhile, confirmed on Facebook this week that the district has "lost one of our own," but did not disclose the cause. The district did say that it was taking precautions "due to the recent flu virus outbreak."

"During the last three weeks, each desk in our schools have been disinfected with bleach. In addition, our custodians have been spraying disinfectant on doorknobs, handles, toilets, sinks and other surfaces to help prevent the virus from spreading," George Solter, superintendent of schools, said on Facebook.

The state health department announced last month that the first victim was a 4-year-girl lived who lived in Central Jersey. The girl, who was not identified, died in December and was not vaccinated. Ocean County officials later claimed that the girl was a resident of that county.

Read more: NJ Flu Scare: Worst Week Yet; Who's At Risk?

Nationally, there have been a number of cases involving children who died after showing symptoms of a cold.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says children, especially those younger than 5 years, are at higher risk for serious flu-related complications.

The flu vaccine offers the best defense against getting the flu and spreading it to others, the CDC says.
Getting vaccinated can reduce flu illnesses, doctor’s visits, missed work and school days, and prevent flu-related hospitalizations and deaths in children, the CDC says.

Indeed, 12-year-old Florida boy who was otherwise healthy died from the flu last week and his family is now urging other parents to not take the disease lightly.

Last month, a 6-year-old girl in North Carolina died from the flu just days after showing symptoms. The family had taken her to urgent care and called an ambulance a day later when the girl was having trouble breathing.

(Lead image: A Walgreens employee holds a flu shot in Oakland, California in December 2014. Photo by Justin Sullivan/Getty Images)