Flu season has taken a grim turn in Virginia, as the state’s health department has reported the first death of a child caused by complications associated with influenza.<\/p>\n
Flu season has taken a grim turn in Virginia, as the state\u2019s health department has reported the first death of a child caused by complications associated with influenza.<\/p>\n
In order to protect the family\u2019s privacy, the only information the Virginia Department of Health is releasing about the child is that they were age 4 or younger and that the death was reported in the eastern region of the state.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe at the Virginia Department of Health, are broken hearted and extend our sympathies to the family of this child during this difficult time,\u201d State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton said in a news release<\/a>. \u201cEven though the flu is common, it can cause serious illness and even death. I urge everyone who is eligible to receive the flu vaccine to do so not only to protect themselves, but to protect those around them.\u201d<\/p>\n Lisa Sollot, respiratory disease program coordinator with the state health department, told WTOP it\u2019s not too late to get the flu vaccine.<\/p>\n \u201cThis year, we were afforded a few extra weeks because activity started so late that I think it may have given us a little extra time for those who are may be procrastinating getting the vaccine,\u201d she said. \u201cWe know that activity could start increasing at any minute, and so we know that there\u2019s a lot ahead of us in terms of activity.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cWe do recommend the flu vaccine as the best way to protect yourself and others,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n Sollot said it\u2019s also important to take precautions, such as staying home when sick, avoiding others when they\u2019re sick, cleaning high-tough surfaces and washing your hands frequently.<\/p>\n Since COVID-19 came into the picture, Sollot said flu season has become a bit more unpredictable and it\u2019s important for people to remain vigilant.<\/p>\n \u201cTypically, activity starts in about October, maybe November. And this year, we really didn\u2019t have activity start until about December. And then it climbed rapidly, almost reaching last year\u2019s peak, before also declining quickly, which is strange activity that we haven\u2019t seen in the past,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n \u201cIt has also made us think that this is not necessarily a true decline, and that it is possible that we could see activity surge again in the future, which is why these prevention tips are so important to help protect yourself and your family,\u201d she added.<\/p>\n According to the state health department, less than 30% of eligible Virginians reported receiving a flu vaccine this season. Those interested in getting a flu shot can locate providers on the department\u2019s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n The state health department said the level of respiratory illnesses are considered \u201cmoderate\u201d \u2014 where over 18.6% of emergency department visits can be attributed to the viral illnesses.<\/p>\n Last season was the deadliest flu season on record for children in the U.S., according to health officials in Virginia.<\/p>\n