Child Death Toll In New York Climbs Higher This Flu Season

Four children in New York have died as a result of the flu this season as the influenza activity level across the state remains geographically widespread for children for the sixth week in a row, the New York State Department of Health reports.

The most recent flu-related death occurred during the week of Jan. 22 to 28. None of these flu-associated deaths were reported on Long Island, although the flu is still a regional concern, according to Nassau University Medical Center.

Out of the 62 counties in New York, 61 counties reported positive influenza tests over the past week.

Thousands of Americans die from the flu, and more than 200,000 are hospitalized every year, NUMC reports.

Laboratory results showing positive influenza laboratory tests reported by the DOH reveal which age groups have been most affected by the flu during the 2016-2017 season:

(age group, positive influenza laboratory results)

• Ages 5 to 17— 5,797
• Ages 18 to 49— 5,155
• Ages 0 to 4— 4,184
• Age 65+— 4,285
• Ages 50 to 64— 2,509

The DOH’s latest weekly flu report (from Jan. 22 to 28) revealed:

• A 20 percent increase of laboratory-confirmed influenza reports.
• A 4 percent increase of patients hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza.
• About 21.7 percent of specimens submitted to NYS WHO/NREVSS laboratories were positive for influenza.
• The report of patient visits for influenza-like illnesses from ILINet providers was 9.19 percent, which is above the regional baseline of 3 percent.

After influenza was declared prevalent in New York in late December, health care workers who were not vaccinated against influenza had to wear surgical or procedure masks in areas where patients are typically present.

The height of flu season occurs from late November to March. Common flu symptoms include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue, according to NUMC.

The best protection against the flu are vaccines. NUMC says about 44 percent of American adults and almost 60 percent of children receive the flu vaccine, according to estimates.

The Department of Health recommends that everyone 6 months or older receive a flu vaccination. The vaccine is especially important for people at high risk for complications from the flu, which includes children younger than 2, pregnant women and people with preexisting conditions such as asthma, heart disease and weakened immune systems due to disease or medications such as chemotherapy or chronic steroid use. Since the flu virus can spread through coughing or sneezing, it is also important that family members and people who regularly come into contact with children, older adults and other individuals at higher risk get a flu shot.

For additional information about the flu, including how it is monitored in New York State, visit the Department of Health website.

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