Flu Kills CA Boy, Now His Siblings May Have It Too

INLAND EMPIRE, CA -- An Inland Empire family is mourning Sunday after the sudden lost of a 7-year-old boy who caught the flu. Cisco Galvez died Jan. 4 after catching the flu just five days earlier.

Family said Cisco contracted the flu on New Year's Eve. In the following days, his parents Juanita Vidana and father Frankie Galvez, took him to the Dignity Health Center in San Bernardino twice because he had difficulty breathing, according to a GoFundMe page created for the family.

"After running many tests, they knew he was quite ill and needed to be transported to Loma Linda Children's Hospital," the page said. "While awaiting transport, Cisco stopped breathing and passed away in the early hours of January 4th."

The San Bernardino family said Cisco either died from myocarditis or heart failure, related to the flu.

"Cisco always had a smile on his face. He was the sweetest boy. He loved video games, football and was looking forward to playing soccer next year. He was extremely bright and excelled in school," the page said.

ABC7 reported the family returned to the hospital after two other children, a 9-year-old and a 5-month-old, in the family had flu-like symptoms.

The number of people under the age of 65 who have died from the flu in California increased this week. The latest death toll stands at 27 people, the Los Angeles Times reported.

--Photo via GoFundMe/Galvez Family

Also See:

27 Under Age Of 65 Die From Flu In California: Report

Flu Sends San Diego Veteran To ICU

Murrieta Child Dies From Flu Complications