Wisconsin Child Dies Of Influenza; State's First Child Flu Death

MILWAUKEE, WI — Wisconsin's flu season has been hard-hitting so far in 2020, and health officials in the state are reporting the first child death from influenza.

According to the state Department of Health Services, the child was less than 10 years old, and lived in southeastern Wisconsin. 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.

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.

The latest data from the agency — current as of the week ending Dec. 21 — shows that the virus is widespread in 39 states, including Wisconsin. Regional activity was reported in nine states, including Wisconsin. According to the U.S. Center for Disease Control, Wisconsin has been listed as having "high" influenza activity. The geographic spread of flu activity does not measure the severity of the virus, but seasonal influenza activity throughout the nation has now been elevated for seven weeks in a row.

The CDC's surveillance of influenza-like-illness measures the level of flu activity within a state. According to the latest data, flu activity is high in the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, New York City and 25 states, including Wisconsin.

Hospitals Changing Policies To Protect The Young

The Children's Hospital of Wisconsin has 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 Wednesday, 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