The first flu-related death so far this season was reported to
the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services. It was a young child in
the Elkhorn Logan Valley Public Health Department area (Burt, Cuming, Madison
and Stanton counties) who also spent time in the Three Rivers Public Health
Department area (Dodge, Saunders and Washington counties).
“Children can be more susceptible to complications and this is a
sad reminder of the potential seriousness of flu infections. Our thoughts are
with the family," said Dr. Tom Safranek, State Epidemiologist for DHHS.
While test results showed that a seasonal flu virus contributed
to the death, the child also tested positive for several other respiratory
viruses.
It's not unusual for there to be some child deaths during a
normal flu season, but they have been rare in Nebraska. Nationally, 13 children
have died from flu this season, according to the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention (CDC).
"Our department expresses condolences to the family in this
unfortunate situation," said Gina Uhing, Health Director for Elkhorn Logan
Valley Public Health Department. “Vaccination and preventive measures like
washing your hands, covering your cough, staying home if you’re sick and
avoiding people who are sick can help protect children and adults from the
flu.”
Flu continues to circulate at moderate levels in Nebraska. State
health officials say people who are experiencing flu-like symptoms like fever,
cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache and tiredness
should contact their local physician for an evaluation.
“While most people recover from the flu, it can also be a
life-threatening illness,” said Terra Uhing, Health Director for Three Rivers
Public Health Department. “There is prescription medication that can be used to
treat the flu. It can lessen the symptoms and shorten the length of illness.”
It's not too late to get vaccinated. The CDC recommends flu vaccination for
everyone 6 months and older. While flu can make anyone sick, certain people are
at greater risk for serious complications, and it’s extremely important they
receive vaccine:
• Young children
• Adults 65 years of age or older
• Pregnant women
• People with chronic lung disease (like asthma and COPD), diabetes (type
1 and 2), heart disease, neurological conditions and certain other long-term
health conditions
• Residents of nursing homes and other long-term care facilities
DHHS officially started flu surveillance Oct. 4. Surveillance shows where the
flu is and how fast it’s spreading across the state.
DHHS uses multiple surveillance systems to track flu viruses,
including sentinel physicians who report the number of people with flu-like
illness weekly, lab tests, school surveillance, hospital data, emergency
department data and death reporting.
For more flu information, visit the DHHS website at www.dhhs.ne.gov/flu
or www.cdc.gov/flu.