A nine-year-old girl has died from complications related to the flu in North Carolina. Madeline “Maddie” Vernon, who loved soccer and playing sports, developed a fever of 104.9 degrees on January 28 and was diagnosed with influenza just four days later. Her condition quickly worsened, and she passed away on January 29 after being placed on a ventilator at a hospital.
The US is experiencing its most intense flu season in over a decade, with 16,000 deaths reported so far, including 68 pediatric deaths. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) estimates that there have been at least 29 million illnesses and 370,000 hospitalizations due to the flu this season.
Maddie’s parents are urging other families to get their children vaccinated against the flu, citing her tragic death as a reminder of the importance of preventive measures. The CDC recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone over six months old, with studies showing that getting vaccinated can reduce the risk of contracting the virus by 50 percent.
Experts warn that this season’s high severity is particularly concerning for young children and those with chronic medical conditions. “Prevention is huge,” says Dr. Daniel Park, a medical director at UNC Medical Center. “It’s never too late to get the flu vaccine, even in the middle of flu season.”
Source: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/health/article-14406077/girl-dies-flu-fever-season-intense-decade.html