North Jersey Toddler Dies From Flu, 4th Fatality This Season

A fourth child has died of flu complications this season, New Jersey Health Department officials announced Tuesday.

The North Jersey toddler died in a hospital in early March and had "several underlying medical conditions," said New Jersey Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal.

No additional infromation about the victim was released due to privacy concerns.

"I am deeply saddened for the family of this young child," Elnahal said.

Elnahal said authorities are still "seeing high flu activity" across New Jersey and urged residents to get vaccinated against the flu, especially children, the elderly, health care workers, and people with certain health conditions who are at high risk for serious flu complications.

A third child died of the flu last month. That death came one week after state officials said a second child died after suffering from the virus. Family and friends identified the 6-year-old victim as Nevaeh Hernandez of North Bergen. Another child from Central Jersey, according to the state Department of Health, died in December. Ocean County officials later said the child was from their county.

See related: Another NJ Child Dies After Suffering From Flu

Symptoms associated with the influenza can include: High sudden onset of fevers, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, severe body aches, headache, chills, tiredness, and sometimes diarrhea and vomiting.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com