'Heaven Gained An Angel:' Mother Of Delco Boy Who Died From Flu

BROOMALL, PA — A family in Delaware County has undergone the unthinkable: laying a child to rest. And the mother of 7-year-old Matthew David "Smiley" Wzorek took to social media soon after losing her son to the flu to express how difficult the situation has been, but also to show gratitude for the amount of support the family has received since his untimely death.

The boy's death was announced Sunday by the Marple Newtown School District, where Matthew was a second grade student.

"Heaven gained an angel yesterday," Rebecca Horowitz Wzorek wrote Monday.

Matthew's death has gained attention across the country, making it one of the most notable flu deaths of the season due to his age.

"Matthew was taken from us after a battle with the flu," Wzorek wrote on Facebook. "He was the kindest child and could brighten any room."

According to his obituary from Goldsteins' Rosenberg's Raphael-Sacks, Matthew loved Disney, Harry Potter, cuddling with his family, sports.

"We are grieving and trying to process it all but can’t understand how this could happen. Thank you for all the messages," Wzorek wrote. "We are not able to respond to them all but the support is amazing and we will need it to get through this tough time."

She went on to say the family will sit shiva through the week at their home.

"Please say a prayer and hold on tightly to your loved ones," Wzorek wrote Monday.

The Marple Newtown School District is on "high alert" after Matthew's death. Matthew was a second grade student at Worrall Elementary School.

According to the district, Matthew's teacher has influenza B and is being treated with Tamiflu and will be out of school this week.

"In all likelihood, all of the students in this 2nd grade classroom have been exposed to the Influenza B virus," the district said in a follow up statement. "Furthermore, it is probable that other students or staff members in Worrall have been exposed to the virus. Quite frankly, since the virus is airborne, the entire district should be on high alert for signs and symptoms of the flu."

The Pennsylvania Department of Health's most recent data, which goes through Feb. 8, indicates 47 influenza-associated deaths have occurred during this flu season. In that data, no pediatric deaths were reported.

The majority of flu-related deaths in Pennsylvania this year occurred among those 65 and older.
Thirty four people in that age group are among the 47 deaths.

Six people age 19 to 49 have died from the flu and seven people between 50 and 64 have died, the state Department of Health said.

The flu virus continues to affect young people at an alarming rate. More than 50 percent of reported cases this flu season are in children and young adults under age 25. So far, 92 pediatric deaths have been recorded this flu season, according to the Centers for Disease Control.

The virus has been widespread in nearly all states, including Pennsylvania. The Philadelphia-area counties with the highest level of activity include Montgomery County, where more than 5,200 cases have been reported, and Philadelphia, where more than 4,700 cases have been reported as of Feb. 8.

The CDC's surveillance of influenza-like illness measures the level of flu activity within a state. According to the latest data, flu activity is high in New York City, Puerto Rico and 35 states. In Pennsylvania, activity is considered "widespread" — the highest on a scale of five geographic spread levels.