4-Year-Old's Flu Death Was Possibly In Ocean County: Official

A young child in Ocean County was possibly the first person in New Jersey to die because of complications related to the flu virus.

Freeholder Director Gerry P. Little told The Asbury Park Press that the girl's death was reported to the state between Dec. 23 and 30. He couldn't confirm if it was the same 4-year-old who the state says was the first fatal victim of the flu virus in New Jersey this season.

There have been no other pediatric flu deaths in New Jersey, however, since the 2015-2016 flu season, according to the state Department of Health. “I am not allowed to confirm,” Little told the publication. “But I can tell you that, yes, we have had a child – a young child – who died because of complications from the flu. But I can’t tell you where (the child) is from. I am not allowed to.”

Little's comments came after the state health department announced Tuesday that the first victim was a 4-year-girl lived who lived in Central Jersey. That girl, who was not identified, died in December and was not vaccinated.

Read more: 4-Year-Old Confirmed As NJ's First Flu Death

The death was one of a growing number of flu cases in New Jersey that have more than doubled this season, jumping from nearly 2,000 in 2016-17 to more than 4700 in 2017-18. There have been more than 1,000 cases in just the past 10 days, according to the state Department of Health.

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.

A 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.

Earlier this 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.

In New Jersey, some counties, such as Cape May and Warren, have seen dramatic increases in flu cases from last year (see list below).

The data is based on state Department of Health laboratory specimens dating back to the beginning of the flu season, which officials say was Oct. 7, 2017. The especially bad season is attributed to infections from a flu strain known as H3N2. It responds poorly to vaccinations and is particularly dangerous to young children and older adults over the age of 65.

Here were the New Jersey counties most and least affected by the flu virus, including percentage increase over last year, as of Jan. 22:

• Cape May 53 5,200%
• Warren 57 850%
• Somerset 70 438%
• Sussex 42 320%
• Mercer 117 317%
• Hunterdon 96 300%
• Burlington 138 263%
• Essex 195 242%
• Middlesex 139 215%
• Atlantic 168 180%
• Cumberland 8 166%
• Monmouth 451 146%
• Gloucester 74 111%
• Ocean 312 110%
• Camden 279 102%
• Hudson 194 86%
• Morris 152 85%
• Bergen 447 26%
• Union 110 11%
• Passaic 83 7%
• Salem 4 0%

Symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, body aches, headaches and fatigue. The flu virus is spread through the air, from coughing and sneezing, or by touching something that someone with the virus has touched.

You can pass the flu to someone else both before and while you are sick. Adults may be able to infect others beginning one day before symptoms develop and as many as five to seven days after becoming ill, according to the Pennsylvania Department of Health. Some people, especially young children and those with weakened immune systems, may be able to infect others for an even longer time.

To treat the flu, use over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or cough syrup to relieve symptoms. Rest in bed and drink lots of fluids. If you contact your doctor within 48 hours of onset of symptoms, you may be able to take an antiviral drug that will reduce the severity of symptoms and the length of illness.

Here are some additional tips:

• Stay home if you are sick.
• Avoid touching your face — your mouth, nose, and eyes.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Avoid others who are sick.
• Cough and sneeze into your sleeve or a tissue.

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