Kentucky reports first child flu death of the season as health officials stress vaccination

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Kentucky reported its first pediatric flu death of the season Tuesday.

In a news release from Gov. Andy Beshear's Office, state health officials said the child, who lived in Kenton County, had not received a flu vaccine. The child's age was not provided.

"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," Dr. Steven Stack, secretary for the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, said in a statement.

Health officials said seasonal influenza is increasing across Kentucky, particularly among children. The health department said the number of emergency room visits and hospitalizations from the flu among children younger than five are higher than last year.

Kentucky doctors are watching this flu season closely as a new version of the virus, called subclade K, spreads.

Doctors stress the importance of the flu vaccine as "the best way to protect against" the virus.

"The flu vaccine is safe, effective and widely available," Dr. John Langefeld, commissioner of the Kentucky Department for Public Health, said in Tuesday's news release. "It's the best way to reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization and death."

The annual flu vaccine is recommended for those six months of age and older. Health officials said while most flu infections result in mild illness, serious symptoms may require medical attention.

Serious symptoms of the flu include: difficulty breathing, seizures, bluish lips or face, fevers above 104 degrees, coughing that improves but comes back or gets worse, and dehydration.

Children, pregnant individuals, those over 65, the immunocompromised and those with chronic health conditions are most vulnerable to the flu.

This comes as Louisville sees an increase in flu cases. Earlier this month, the Louisville health department's Influenza Surveillance Dashboard shows a steady increase in local flu cases, with nearly 940 cases reported since the end of September. That includes six outbreaks at schools, child care or long-term care facilities.

Last season, the Louisville health department reported more than 20,000 cases and 36 flu-related deaths, between September and May, with one of the largest spikes recorded in December.

Flu can quickly spread, with some age groups in danger of experiencing devastating effects, especially infants and young children, people 65 and over, and people with compromised immune systems.

Here's what you can do to protect yourself and others:

Avoid contact with sick people.
Frequently wash your hands with soap and warm water.
Cover your cough or sneeze.
Wear a mask in public or crowded areas, especially if you are at increased risk for severe illness.
Stay at home if you are sick to prevent spreading illness to others.
Get a flu shot each year.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention projects there will be about 2.9 million flu cases this season, with roughly 30,000 hospitalizations and approximately 1,200 deaths nationwide.

Vaccination rates are also lagging behind last year’s levels, according to the CDC.

Kentucky's health department keeps track of respiratory virus activity across the state and provides the data on its Respiratory Disease Data Dashboard, which can be found by clicking here.

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