Season's 1st Pediatric Flu Death Reported In PA

Flu activity is increasing in Pennsylvania and is now blamed for one pediatric and 25 adult deaths, according to information from the state health department.

Authorities this week reported the state's first pediatric flu-related death. The location of the child or their identity was not reported by authorities.

So far during this flu season, which began on Oct. 1, 2018, 22 children in the United States have died from the flu, according to the CDC. Last year, during the duration of the flu season, 185 pediatric flu deaths occurred in the United States.

In Pennsylvania, the highest flu activity has been most recently reported in the Southeast and Northwest regions, officials said. In the Philadelphia region, the county reporting the most number of cases is Montgomery, where nearly 1,250 flu cases have been recorded by health officials.

Here are the number of cases in Eastern Pennsylvania reported by county:

• Bucks: 625
• Berks, 1,117
• Chester: 524
• Delaware: 875
• Lehigh: 1,095
• Montgomery: 1,246
• Northampton, 1,161
• Philadelphia: 920

Flu activity in Pennsylvania is classified as "widespread, state officials say.

As of Jan. 30, in addition to the one pediatric death, two people ages 19 to 49, four people ages 50 to 64, and 18 people over 65 have died from the illness.

You can view the most current flu activity by county by clicking here.

The CDC recommends all citizens ages 6 months and older get a flu shot. More than 166 million doses of flu vaccine have been distributed this season, the agency said.

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