LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) — Flu cases are on the rise in Louisville.
Norton Children’s Hospital recorded its largest spike of the season, confirming more than 2,500 pediatric flu cases in the past week and five hospitalizations.
This marks the highest surge in Kentucky kids so far this flu season.
Louisville health experts said the rise is driven by the flu B strain, which is more common in children.
While flu B is often mild to moderate in otherwise healthy kids, it can lead to more serious complications in children under age 5 and those with underlying medical conditions.
"If you have a child who is experiencing difficulty breathing, if you're having trouble waking them up, if they seem dehydrated so like not making a lot of wet diapers, not able to drink or keep anything down then those are usually a trip to the emergency room," said Dr. Heather Felton, Norton Children's pediatrician.
At least 60 children in the U.S. have died so far this flu season, including one in Kentucky.
Nearly 90 percent of those children were unvaccinated.
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