First 2019 Child Flu Death Confirmed In Maricopa County

PHOENIX, AZ — The Maricopa County Department of Public Health Tuesday confirmed this year’s first child death caused by influenza. The infant was younger than 6 months, the beginning age for flu shot eligibility, and couldn’t be vaccinated.

“This incredibly sad case reminds us that even though the flu is common, it can cause serious illness and even death,” said the county health department’s medical director Dr. Rebecca Sunenshine. “This is a tragic reminder that anyone who is able to get the flu shot should, not only to protect themselves, but to protect those around them who are most at risk of severe disease and death from the flu,” she advised.

In the previous flu season, no child deaths were reported, but there were three the season previous.

Adult influenza deaths don’t get reported to the county's public health department. But according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 61,000 flu deaths nationwide during the 2017-2018 flu season.

Meanwhile, this flu season in Maricopa County has seen 935 cases reported so far, which is four times the number seen last season at this time of year. And flu is gaining momentum 6 weeks earlier this year.

The flu vaccine contains influenza type B, which is the predominant strain, Maricopa County Public Health officials say. Sunenshine advises vaccination as soon as possible, as the immune system typically takes a couple of weeks to build its flu defenses post-vaccination. And it’s not just for you, she reiterates. “You can help prevent the spread of flu in our community, especially to seniors who don’t respond as well to the vaccine and those who can’t get vaccinated.” Even for those who catch the flu, the vaccination can protect from hospitalization and death.

For those who do develop the flu and are in a high-risk category, contacting their doctor and requesting an antiviral medication can help, particularly when the antiviral medicine is started within the first 48 hours after symptoms manifest.

In the meantime, other smaller precautions everyone can take to avoid spreading the flu include good hygiene, frequent handwashing, coughing into your sleeve, avoiding touching your nose and mouth, and staying at home if you have flu symptoms, Maricopa County Department of Public Health officials advised.

For more information on flu vaccination locations and to learn more about the flu, access the Maricopa County website.