B.C. promises weekly updates on flu deaths as 6 children confirmed dead this fall | 24CA News
B.C.’s provincial well being officer is promising weekly updates on the variety of youngsters who’ve died after contracting influenza following affirmation that six deaths have already been reported to this point this fall.
Dr. Bonnie Henry stated the deaths this 12 months embody one little one below the age of 5, three between the ages of 5 and 9 and two youngsters between the ages of 15 and 19.
“My thoughts are with families and communities impacted by the loss of a loved one,” Henry stated in a press release.
“Early findings indicate some of the children experienced secondary bacterial infections contributing to severe illness, which can be a complication of influenza.”
She added that deaths have been uncommon in “previously healthy children” and that infants and toddlers, youngsters with persistent medical circumstances, youngsters who must take Aspirin or ASA for lengthy intervals of time and really overweight youngsters are most in danger.
“Parents of all children should seek care if your child experiences difficulty breathing or if your child’s fever goes away and comes back or persists longer than five days. This may indicate a possible bacterial infection,” Henry stated.
She described the flu season as far as an “unusual season with unusual characteristics,” together with an early and severe surge in instances. As a end result, the B.C. Centre for Disease Control can be posting weekly updates on pediatric flu-related deaths on its web site.
B.C. well being officers have urged dad and mom to have youngsters vaccinated in opposition to the flu, citing a “dramatic increase” in instances of influenza A, a pressure which may trigger extreme sickness in youngsters.
Historical information offered by the B.C. Coroners Service confirmed the variety of deaths this 12 months to be nicely above earlier flu seasons earlier than the COVID-19 pandemic.
Between 2015 and 2019, B.C. recorded two to 3 influenza-related deaths in folks aged 18 or youthful yearly. In 2020, the province recorded one loss of life, whereas none have been recorded in 2021.
