King County Records First Pediatric Flu Death In A Decade

SEATTLE, WA — An elementary-school-aged child died Sunday due to complications with the flu, Public Health officials announced Tuesday. The last pediatric flu death reported in King County was in 2009.

"Losing a child to influenza is heartbreaking and I want to extend our deep sympathy to the family," said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer. "This death is a tragic reminder of how serious influenza can be, especially for young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with long-term health conditions," Duchin said.

The flu season got underway unusually early this year, and Washington is among 23 states where the illness is considered widespread. Public Health said the predominant strain circulating in King County is an influenza B virus, which poses higher risks for young children.

According to health officials, between 9 and 45 million people get the flu in the U.S. every year, with between 12,000 and 61,000 deaths reported annually. In King County, Between 70 and 500 deaths are linked to the flu every year.

Symptoms of the can include fevers, coughing, a sore throat, body aches, and vomiting. People become contagious one day before developing symptoms and can remain contagious more than a week after symptoms arrive.

Public Health recommends everyone over the age of 6 months old receive annual flu shots, especially those in groups identified as the most at-risk. That includes people with asthma, heart disease, diabetes, weakened immune systems, or neurologic conditions, and seniors, young children, and pregnant women.

Sunday's death follows two others in King County this flu season. The patients in those cases were adults.

Learn more about the flu or find a vaccination clinic on the Public Health website.