Child flu death reported in Pinal County is first of Arizona flu season

Stephanie Innes, Arizona Republic
·3 min read
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Pinal County on Wednesday confirmed Arizona's first pediatric flu death during a flu season that has arrived earlier than usual.

Both influenza and RSV — respiratory syncytial virus — were contributing factors in the child’s death, according to Pinal County health officials, who did not disclose the child's age nor whether the child had any underlying health conditions.

“This tragic situation, unfortunately, reminds us that flu can cause serious illness and death,” Pinal County Public Health Services District Director Tascha Spears said in a statement. “Our deepest sympathy goes out to this child’s family.”

Reported cases of the flu in Arizona are 26 times higher than they were at this time last flu season, according to Arizona Department of Health Services data for the week ending Nov. 19, and 11 times higher than a typical flu season. According to ADHS, there were a total of three pediatric deaths during the 2021-22 flu season, and zero deaths during the 2020-21 season.

Flu has hit earlier than usual across the U.S. Seven children had died from flu in the U.S. as of Nov. 12, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Last season, the total was 44 and the prior year it was just one pediatric death, likely due to shelter-in-place and masking during the COVID-19 pandemic that kept respiratory viruses at bay during that time. During the 2019-2020 flu season, the CDC reported 199 pediatric deaths to flu.

As of Nov. 19, 4,552 cases of influenza had been reported statewide for the current flu season, which officially began Oct. 2, though Arizona doesn't usually get hit hard by flu until December or January. The number of reported cases represents a small proportion of the true number of cases of influenza, state officials say, because not everyone with influenza-like symptoms is tested for the flu.

RSV is also circulating earlier than a typical flu season and is contributing to higher patient levels in hospitals, including in emergency rooms.

The earlier arrival of flu has led several hospital systems in Arizona to impose earlier-than-usual visitor restrictions.

The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine. It typically takes two weeks after vaccination for the immune system to build a defense against the flu. There is no vaccine against RSV currently available

In addition to vaccine, Pinal County health officials say it's important for Arizonans to protect themselves and others from getting the flu by being vigilant in good hygiene, avoiding touching your mouth and nose, washing your hands frequently, covering your cough in your sleeve and staying home when sick.

Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly and may include some or all of the following symptoms:

  • fever or feeling feverish/chills, though not everyone with the flu will have a fever.

  • cough

  • sore throat

  • runny or stuffy nose

  • muscle or body aches

  • headaches

  • fatigue (tiredness)

  • Some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.

Reach the health care reporter at Stephanie.Innes@gannett.com or at 602-444-8369. Follow her on Twitter @stephanieinnes.

This article originally appeared on Arizona Republic: Pediatric flu death in Pinal County is first of Arizona flu season