A child in Maine has died from influenza B Victoria, marking the first pediatric death from the flu in Maine during the 2023-2024 season.
Influenza poses a greater risk to children and taking precautions such as getting vaccinated, practicing good hygiene, and staying home when sick can help prevent the spread of influenza.
Since 2019, there have been a total of six influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported in Maine.
The child tested positive for Influenza B Victoria and clinicians encourage annual vaccinations for all children six months and older who do not have contraindications.
A child in Maine has tragically lost their life due to influenza B Victoria, marking the first pediatric death from the flu in Maine during the 2023-2024 season. According to reports from both the Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (Maine CDC) and local news outlets, this is an unfortunate reminder of the dangers posed by influenza, particularly to children.
The Maine CDC reported that the child tested positive for Influenza B Victoria. This strain of influenza is known to circulate in Maine throughout the year but reaches higher levels from early October to mid-May. The exact age and location of the child have not been disclosed, but clinicians are encouraged to recommend annual influenza vaccinations for all children six months and older who do not have contraindications.
The Maine CDC also advised that respiratory symptoms at any time of the year could be caused by influenza and urged clinicians to consider testing and treatment in patients with such symptoms. Since 2019, there have been a total of six influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported in Maine.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that during the 2023-2024 flu season, which ended on May 18, there were over 663 hospitalized cases of confirmed influenza and influenza was listed as a cause of death on 53 death certificates.
It is important to note that while influenza can be dangerous for anyone, it poses a greater risk to children. The Maine CDC advises taking precautions such as getting vaccinated, practicing good hygiene, and staying home when sick to help prevent the spread of influenza and protect vulnerable populations.
