State health officials announced on Dec. 30 that a Kenton County child died from influenza, marking the first pediatric flu death this season.
“Our hearts are with the family during this incredibly difficult time,” Dr. Steven Stack, secretary of the Cabinet for Health and Family Services, said in a news release. “This is a heartbreaking reminder that the flu is not always a mild illness, especially for young children and people with high-risk medical conditions.”
Seasonal flu is increasing across the commonwealth, especially among children.
The Kentucky Department for Public Health reports that emergency department visits and hospitalizations for the flu among children younger than 5 are higher than they were a year ago.
In the week ending Dec. 27, 928 Kentucky children younger than age 5 were seen in the emergency room for flu and 20 were hospitalized, according to the Kentucky Respiratory Disease Dashboard. The week prior, 551 had been seen in the ER for flu and nine were hospitalized.
“While flu activity is increasing across Kentucky, there are proven steps families can take to protect their loved ones,” Dr. John Langefeld, DPH commissioner, said in the release. “The flu vaccine is safe, effective and widely available. It is the best way to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death.”
The Kenton County child had not received this season’s flu vaccine, according to the release.
DPH, the American Academy of Pediatrics and other experts recommend that everyone 6 months of age and older get the annual flu and Covid-19 vaccines. It’s not too late to get one since flu season typically runs from October to May.
“We share this information not to alarm families but to encourage simple actions that help keep our communities, including our children, healthy,” Langefeld said.
People who are most vulnerable to the flu include young children, people who are over 65, and anyone who is immunocompromised, pregnant or has an underlying chronic condition such as diabetes, heart disease or lung disease.
Health officials also encourage good health habits to prevent transmission of flu and other respiratory illnesses. These include washing hands often with soap and warm water, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying at home from work or school when sick.
