Young Child Dies From Flu Complications In Pierce County

TACOMA, WA — A young child died over the weekend after developing health complications related to the flu, the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department announced Monday. The child's death is Pierce County's second confirmed death for the 2019-2020 flu season, which is off to an unusually early start in Washington and several other states. The county's first death came in late November.

The health department said the child had other medical issues that led to an increased risk. In Washington, where flu activity is considered high and widespread, the virus's B strain has been more prevalent this year. According to health officials, the B strain poses is particularly dangerous to young children, and children 5 years old and under are the most vulnerable to developing flu complications.

"Sadly, flu strains currently in circulation this season have hit the very young hard," said Nigel Turner, Director for the Communicable Disease Control Division.

Last week, King County recorded its first pediatric flu death in a decade. The CDC recommends flu shots for most people over 6 months old. Those in high-risk groups — such as pregnant women, young children, seniors, and those with chronic conditions — should see a doctor at the earliest sign of the illness.

You can find a list of locations offering flu vaccines and learn more about influenza warning sings on the TPCHD website.