12-year old is the 1st death of current flu-season

12-year from Riverside County is the first flu-related death of the current flu season.

A 12-year-old child hospitalized for the flu died, and is the county’s first flu-related death of the season, public health officials reported today.

The child, whose identity was not released, “was admitted to the hospital with acute respiratory distress and tested positive for influenza,” said the county’s public health officer, Dr. Cameron Kaiser.

The child, a Riverside County resident, had a history of underlying health problems, Kaiser said.

“The death is a disturbing reminder how serious the flu can be, particularly for those with underlying health issues, the very young and the elderly,” Kaiser said.

He recommended that all people six months of age and older receive a flu vaccination each year. Other preventive measures include avoiding getting close to people who are sick, frequent hand-washing and maintaining a healthy lifestyle, according to Kaiser. To avoid infecting others, he recommended people stay home from work if they feel feverish or have a cough.

There were nine flu-related deaths reported in Riverside County during last flu season, according to public health officials.