First pediatric flu-related death in New York reported, Health Department confirms

NEW YORK – A child has died of the flu, the New York Department of Health said Thursday, making the death the first pediatric flu-related death in the city.

The officials did not disclose the child's age, sex and rounding.

The Ministry of Health suggests that all New Yorkers get a flu shot, which is the best way to prevent the flu. All people six months of age and older are encouraged to get vaccinated against seasonal flu.

Dr. Gail Shust is a specialist in infectious diseases in children at NYU Langone Health. She said that parents should take their children to see a health professional, "when your child has been sick for several days, has fever for more than two days, really does not have energy, no appetite. "

The United States has reported about 80,000 deaths and 900,000 hospitalizations due to influenza, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported. During the last influenza season, five children died in the city.

"They sadly recall the consequences of not being vaccinated," said Dr Oxiris Barbot, interim health commissioner.

Dr. Barbot said that children, pregnant women and the elderly should be vaccinated every year.

"Flu vaccines are available throughout the city and are easy to find in local pharmacies," she said. "If you need help finding a place, I encourage you to use the health card from the New York Department of Health.By getting the flu shot, you keep yourself – and your community – in good shape. health."

For the first time in 20 years, the Food and Drug Administration recently approved a new drug to fight influenza in patients over the age of 12 years. Xofluza can reduce the symptoms of the flu in one day only if it is taken within 48 hours of the onset of the first symptoms.

Influenza is a contagious disease that affects the nose, throat, lungs and other parts of the body.

Every year in the United States, more than 200,000 people are hospitalized as a result of flu complications and the flu causes between 12,000 and 56,000 deaths each year, the health department said.

For more information on the flu and how to prevent it, click here.