Arizona’s most populous county reported its first childhood flu death of the season. This shows that the early wave of severe flu is diminishing, but not over yet.
The Maricopa County death is Arizona’s third childhood flu death of the 2022-2023 flu season, which began in October, state health officials confirmed Tuesday. His two other childhood flu deaths were in Pinal and Cochise counties.
Death is a “tragic reminder” that anyone who can get a flu shot should not only protect themselves, but those around them who are most at risk of serious illness and death. is a medical epidemiologist with the Maricopa County Public Health Department.
Babies under 6 months old are too young to get the flu vaccine, according to public health officials.
County health officials did not disclose the child’s age or whether he was less than six months old, but said the child had not been vaccinated against the flu. I didn’t clarify.
Health news details:Two Metro Phoenix hospitals have installed patient tents.this is the reason
“This incredibly sad case serves as a reminder that despite how common the flu is, it can still lead to serious illness and even death.” If you are close to an individual who cannot be vaccinated, whether that person is under 6 months old or for any other reason, you can get vaccinated to help protect them. .”
As Arizona saw its second flu spike late last season, county public health officials are recommending continued prevention efforts, including getting vaccinated if you haven’t already. Influenza vaccination usually takes two weeks to become effective after vaccination.
Another reason to stay up to date on flu shots is the number of big events in Arizona, including the Super Bowl, according to county health officials. The county health department has a list of upcoming flu vaccination events. Maricopa.gov/Influenza.
“Get vaccinated before attending a big event. If you’re sick, don’t attend a big event. Stay home,” Stave said. “We are seeing a decline now, but the infection is still widespread. It is never too late to get a flu vaccine.”
Nationally, as of the week ending January 14, there were 85 childhood flu deaths, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s influenza monitoring data That’s 45 during the 2021-2022 flu season and just 1 during the 2020-2021 season, when many Americans were practicing shelter-in-place and social distancing during the COVID-19 pandemic. is compared to
In Arizona, a total of three children died from the flu last season, two of them in Maricopa County. The state had no childhood flu deaths during the 2020-2021 flu season.
More than 16,000 flu cases have been reported to the Maricopa County Public Health Department this season, an unusually high number for this time of year. The number of flu cases reported statewide is seven times higher than he was at this time last year. According to state data for the week ending Jan. 14.
Contact medical reporter Stephanie Innes Stephanie.Innes@gannett.com or at 602-444-8369. follow her on her twitter @stephanieinnes.
