JACKSON, Miss. — The Mississippi State Department of Health confirmed one child has died from the flu, and it happened in the northwest part of the state.
It’s the first pediatric flu death for the 2015-2016 flu season.
It’s also the 14th child to die from the flu since Mississippi began reporting cases in 2007.
“We know, unfortunately, that influenza infections can lead to serious complications and in some cases, death, even for healthy children and young adults,” said MSDH State Epidemiologist Dr. Thomas Dobbs. “Flu activity has been modest this year, but increasing lately. It’s not too late to get a flu shot. All indicators suggest that the current flu vaccine is a good match for the flu strains in Mississippi.”
Across the nation, an estimated 3,000 to 49,000 people die from the flu each year.
More than 200,000 are hospitalized.
According to the department, the symptoms of the flu include fever, cough, headache, muscle ache, and runny or stuffy nose.
Of course, more severe symptoms can also occur.
For more information, click here.
