Eastern Ontario child dies after testing positive for influenza
'Because we have not had significant flu circulation in the past two winters, people may be more susceptible to influenza infection than usual'
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A local child has died after recently testing positive for influenza, hospital officials at the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark District Health Unit confirmed on Monday.
“We are saddened by this tragic death,” said acting medical officer of health Dr. Linna Li in a statement. “We are not aware of any other flu-related deaths in our region.”
Li said death “is an infrequent outcome due to influenza infections.”
Children, and especially young children, are at an elevated risk of severe outcomes due to flu infection, Li said, as are the elderly, those with chronic health conditions, and pregnant people. The hospital did not release the child’s name, age or any other information about the child.
Li said local health unit data suggests the flu “is the primary respiratory virus circulating in the (Leeds, Grenville and Lanark) region at this time.
“Because we have not had significant flu circulation in the past two winters, people may be more susceptible to influenza infection than usual. We are currently seeing more cases of flu in the LGL region, and earlier in the year than in typical winter respiratory seasons,” Li said.
The flu vaccine is “strongly recommended,” Li said for everyone over six months.
Estimates vary, from hundreds to thousands of Canadians dying from flu infections per year, Li said, depending on the severity of the flu season.
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