First child in Ohio dies from flu during worst season in 15 years, health department says
Ohio has had its first pediatric flu death involving a child under 18, the state's Department of Health announced Friday amid the worst flu season the United States and the Buckeye State have seen in 15 years.
The death, which occurred in Allen County in northwest Ohio, "reminds us that influenza, though common, is a serious health threat,' said Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, the department's director.
Flu activity, which usually peaks between December and February, has been steadily increasing since early December and current flu activity is "very high," according to state data.
More: School absences rise as worst flu season in a decade hits central Ohio
'We urge parents to protect their kids. It's not too late for parents and kids to get a flu vaccine. It may very well prevent you or your loved ones from getting seriously ill," Vanderhoff said in a news release.
Since the start of the flu season, more than 9,000 influenza-associated hospitalizations have been reported in Ohio, according to the state health department. That's "well above" the five-year average for the state at this point in the season, though the department noted that there is usually between one and six pediatric deaths related to influenza per season.
More: Everyone's sick this winter. What's up with flu, norovirus, RSV and COVID?
Flu vaccines are readily available at most health care providers' offices, local health departments and retail pharmacies like Walgreens and CVS. The department also reminded Ohioans that washing your hands frequently, using alcohol-based hand sanitizer, and covering coughs and sneezes with tissues or elbows are all ways to help prevent the spread of influenza.
Samantha Hendrickson is The Dispatch's medical business and health care reporter. She can be reached at shendrickson@dispatch.com
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Health department announces first child to die from flu in Ohio
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