Third Wisconsin Child Dies From The Flu: Report

MILWAUKEE, WI — Wisconsin's flu season has claimed its third young life after health officials in Milwaukee said Tuesday that a child has died of the flu. It's the third child flu death in Wisconsin this season.

According to reports, there have been 400 flu-related hospitalizations in Milwaukee alone this season.

According to the Center for Disease Control, influenza is now "widespread" in Wisconsin. The state Department of Health Services reported the first child death on Jan. 10. Health officials said the child quickly became ill and died on the way to the hospital. Health officials said a specific strain of the flu — influenza B — was responsible for the child's death.

Wisconsin's second pediatric flu death was reported on Feb. 14.

Flu Virus Activity High In Wisconsin

So far, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says most illnesses are the result of the influenza B/Victoria viruses, which the agency said is unusual for this time of year. The next most-common virus in circulation is the A/H1N1, and it's increasing in proportion relative to other influenza viruses in some regions.

Hospitals Changing Policies To Protect The Young

Earlier this year, the Children's Hospital of Wisconsin temporarily banned children younger than 12 years old from visiting patients in two hospitals. According to a news release from Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, the ban went into effect starting Dec. 18 at their Milwaukee and Neenah hospital. The ban will be in place until hospital officials say otherwise. This policy does not include clinic appointments or Emergency Department visits, officials said.

This restriction only applies to visitors. Families with children under the age of 12 years may still seek medical attention in one of their clinics, Urgent Care locations or Emergency Department.
To help prevent the spread of influenza and other viral illnesses, children under the age of 12 will also not be allowed to visit the neonatal intensive care units at ProHealth Oconomowoc Memorial Hospital and ProHealth Waukesha Memorial Hospital.

ProHealth officials said temporary visitor restriction was designed to protect the health of the patients and families, and applies only to visitors of the neonatal intensive care units.

The restriction will be assessed as the flu season progresses, health officials at ProHealth said. Updates will be provided at ProHealthCare.org/flu.

A Serious Illness

The flu can lead to serious illness, hospitalization and death. The groups most at risk are older adults, very young children, pregnant women and those with certain chronic medical conditions, according to the CDC.

According to the CDC, symptoms of the flu include:

• Fever or feeling feverish/chills (though not everyone with flu will have a fever)
• Cough
• Sore throat
• Runny or stuffy nose
• Muscle or body aches
• Headaches
• Fatigue