A 9-year-old girl from North Carolina has died from flu complications, joining a growing list of children in the US who are falling ill with the highly contagious virus. Madeline Vernon, from Randolph County, was diagnosed with the flu on January 25 and quickly deteriorated due to her illness.
Her parents rushed her to urgent care, where she was placed on a ventilator to help her breathe, but tragically died the next day. Her family described her as a “fun-loving energetic child” who loved playing soccer and volleyball.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports that at least 13,000 total deaths, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 24 million illnesses have been reported nationwide so far this season. The South, Midwest, and Northeast regions have been the most affected areas.
Medical professionals are urging families to get vaccinated against the flu to protect themselves from serious complications, especially after two other children in the state died due to the illness. Dr. Zack Moore, a state epidemiologist, said, “This is a sad reminder that seasonal influenza can be serious and even fatal.”
As the nation experiences its most intense flu season in 15 years, concerns are growing about the potential risks of vaccination for some individuals.
Source: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/madeline-vernon-flu-north-carolina-b2698017.html