Public Health Insider, Public Health – Seattle & King County

Public Health has learned that an elementary-school-aged child in King County has died from complications of influenza.

The child was previously healthy and died on December 15^thin a Pierce County hospital. This is the first reported flu death in a child in King County since the last reported pediatric death in 2009.

There have also been two reported flu-related deaths in King County adults to date in the 2019/2020 flu season. 

“Losing a child to influenza is heartbreaking and I want to extend our deep sympathy to the family,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. ”This death is a tragic reminder of how serious influenza can be, especially for young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with long-term health conditions. 

“I urge everyone to get an annual flu vaccine and to stay home when sick to help prevent the spread of illness to these more vulnerable groups,” continued Duchin. “If you’re in a high risk group and develop influenza symptoms, contact your healthcare provider right away – antiviral treatment can prevent serious complications.”  

Symptoms of flu include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, tiredness, and in some cases vomiting and diarrhea. People who are sick with the flu often feel some or all of these symptoms; not everyone with flu will have a fever. 

Update on the current flu season 

King County, Washington state and many areas of the United States are seeing an unusually early start to the influenza season. The predominant strain currently circulating is an influenza B virus, which is particularly dangerous for young children. 

“This year’s vaccine is a good match for the circulating influenza B strain. The vaccine will also protect against of other types of flu strains that may appear later in the season, which typically lasts into the spring,” said Dr. Duchin. 

Facts about influenza

• Between 9 – 45 million people get flu every year in the U.S. 
• There are 12,000 to 61,000 deaths in the U.S. from flu every year
• Locally, there are thousands of flu-related hospitalizations and an estimated 70 to 500 deaths from flu in King County every year
• Flu deaths are under-reported to health officials because the listed causes of death are often complications of the flu, such as pneumonia or diabetes.
• During the 2017-2018 flu season, 187 flu deaths in children were reported nationally, although mathematical models that account for the underreporting of flu-related deaths in children estimate the actual number was closer to 600.  Eighty percent of these deaths occurred in unvaccinated children.

People with flu can be contagious beginning 1 day before they develop symptoms and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick, and even longer in some cases. It’s important to stay away from others when you are sick, wash your hands often, and cover your cough to prevent spread of flu.

About the flu vaccine

Health officials recommend annual flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older. Vaccination is especially important for people at increased risk of severe illness from flu, including: 

• People with underlying health conditions. These include, but not limited to:
  • Asthma
  • Heart disease and stroke
  • Diabetes and other endocrine disorders
  • People with a weakened immune system due to disease (such as people with HIV or AIDS, or some cancers such as leukemia) or medications that suppress the immune system
  • Neurologic and neurodevelopment conditions
  • see a complete list of risk factors: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/highrisk/index.htm

• Adults 65 years and older
• Children younger than 5 years old (especially infants and those younger than 2 years old).
• Pregnant women and women up to 2 weeks after the end of pregnancy
• American Indians and Alaska Natives
• People who live in nursing homes and other long-term care facilities

“Even healthy adults should not underestimate the impact a flu infection,” said Duchin. “Influenza can make you miserably sick for a week or two, with fever, cough, weakness and body aches.  Getting vaccinated reduces flu illnesses, doctor’s visits, missed work and school days, as well as flu-related hospitalizations and deaths. Vaccination is safe, effective, and widely available at pharmacies, community health clinics, and most healthcare provider offices.” 

For more information about flu: www.kingcounty.gov/influenza

For help finding a location for getting a flu shot: www.kingcounty.gov/findaclinic