Maine sees first child flu death of season

Maine health officials this week announced the first pediatric flu death in the state for the 2019-2020 season.

The child, who was not identified, was younger than 5 years old and lived in southern Maine. He or she tested positive for influenza B, a strain of the flu that emerged early this flu season and has largely affected children. The child was not vaccinated against the virus.

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“We express our deep condolences to the family for their loss,” Nirav D. Shah, the director of the Maine Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, said in a statement. 

The news comes after a 7-year-old Pennsylvania boy died of the flu earlier this week. Matthew Wzorek — nicknamed “Smiley” for his infectious grin — was a second-grader at Worrall Elementary School in Broomall, Pa. He died Sunday after battling the flu, his mother, Rebecca Horowitz Wzorek, wrote in a Facebook post.

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As of Feb. 8, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported 92 pediatric flu-related deaths in the U.S. The CDC recommends everyone 6 months and older receive the flu vaccine each season, and those at risk of serious flu complications should seek immediate medical attention if suspected symptoms develop.

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