According to the Virginia Department of Health, two children in Virginia, one of whom is from Central Virginia, have succumbed to the flu.
The deaths occurred recently, although VDH officials did not provide specific dates. The child in Central Virginia was a teenager, aged between 13 and 17, while the other child from the Eastern region of the state was between 5 and 12 years old, as reported by the agency.
“With a heavy heart, the Virginia Department of Health mourns the loss of two young lives. Our sympathies go out to the families during this difficult time,” said State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton. “These losses are a sad reminder that while flu is common, it can be associated with serious illness and even death.”
To prevent the flu, VDH officials offer the following recommendations:
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- get a flu vaccine (recommended for most people six months and older);
- wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer;
- cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow rather than your open hand;
- stay at home when you feel sick .
If you are at a higher risk for flu complications, it is important to seek medical care as soon as you experience symptoms. This will allow healthcare professionals to determine if antiviral treatment is necessary. It is crucial to start treatment within two days of symptom onset for it to be most effective. In case your symptoms worsen and become severe, it is advisable to contact a healthcare provider immediately.
As of January 18th, Virginia is experiencing a moderate level of respiratory illnesses. State officials have reported that 17.4% (13,986 visits) of all emergency department visits are related to respiratory illnesses.
The number of visits to the emergency department for flu is highest among children, indicating that seasonal flu activity is currently on the rise.
Virginia’s flu vaccination rates for both children and adults remain low, as reported by the VDH. Surprisingly, only 30% of eligible Virginians have reported getting a flu vaccine this season, despite the fact that vaccines are proven to be effective in safeguarding individuals against the severe health consequences associated with flu viruses.
According to a recent study, it was estimated that the flu vaccination had prevented the following during the 2023-24 season:
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- 8 million flu-related illnesses;
- 8 million flu-related medical visits;
- 120,000 flu-related hospitalizations;
- 7,900 flu-related deaths.
Head over to vaccinate.virginia.gov and discover a convenient flu vaccine location near you.
If you have any further inquiries regarding the flu or the flu vaccine, feel free to reach out to VDH’s Call Center at 877-829-4682 (Option 2).
The VDH Respiratory Illness dashboard is scheduled to be updated on January 28th.