AUGUSTA, Maine — The Maine Center for Disease Prevention and Control (CDC) announced Friday it has identified a child death associated with influenza.
According to a news release issued by the Maine CDC, this is the only influenza-associated pediatric death reported for the 2023-2024 influenza season so far.
The Maine CDC reported the child tested positive for influenza B Victoria.
Influenza is at its highest levels of circulation throughout the state between early October and mid-May, but that doesn't mean you can't catch it year-round.
Following the child's reported death, the Maine CDC is urging clinicians to encourage annual influenza vaccination in all children six months and older who don't have contradictions, remain aware that respiratory symptoms can be caused by the flu at any time of year, and consider flu testing and treatment in patients who have respiratory symptoms at any time of year.
"Influenza illness is more dangerous than the common cold for children," the release stated. "Each year, millions of children get sick with seasonal influenza; thousands of children are hospitalized, and some children die from influenza."
It's common for children to need medical care due to influenza, especially children who are younger than five. About 80 percent of children who die nationally because of the flu are not fully vaccinated, the Maine CDC said. Additionally, about half of influenza-related deaths occur in children who have no underlying medical problems.
"Getting vaccinated has been shown to reduce influenza illnesses, medical visits, missed school days, and the risk of influenza-related hospitalization and death in children," the release said. "Even if vaccinated children get sick, vaccination has been shown to reduce illness severity."
It's even more important for children under the age of five who have certain medical problems to receive flu vaccinations, as they are at a higher risk of developing serious influenza-related complications that can lead to hospitalization and death, according to the Maine CDC.
As of Friday, the Maine CDC said flu activity in Maine is low, but cases continue to be reported, especially of the influenza B Victoria strain in recent weeks.
The Maine CDC has reported flu-related deaths in six children since 2019, and the U.S. CDC has reported 609 flu-related deaths in children nationally within that same period.
"During the 2023–2024 influenza surveillance season, which ended May 18, 2024, Maine CDC followed up on 75 outbreaks of influenza, facilities reported over 663 individuals hospitalized with laboratory-confirmed influenza, and influenza was listed as a cause of death on 53 death certificates," the release stated.
The Maine CDC recommends the following tips to help keep you and others safe from the flu:
- Wash your hands: Both the public and health care providers should wash their hands frequently
- Cover your cough: Use tissues, or cough into your sleeve
- Stay home when you are sick: Symptomatic individuals should stay home until symptoms have improved and fever has resolved for 24 hours without the use of medications
- Get vaccinated: The Maine CDC recommends clinicians counsel patients on the importance of getting vaccinated each year during flu season for everyone aged six months and older, especially those at high risk of serious complications
Children under the age of 19 can receive a flu vaccine at no cost by the state. For more information, contact the Maine Immunization Program at 800-867-4775 or immunizeme.dhhs@maine.gov.
It's also important to consider available treatment options for influenza.
"Early antiviral treatment can reduce influenza morbidity and mortality," the release said. "Early antiviral treatment works best. Treatment may offer benefit when started up to 4–5 days after symptom onset in hospitalized patients."
Tamiflu, Relenza, Rapivab, and Xofluza are approved antivirals for influenza, according to the Maine CDC.
Parents should seek immediate medical care if their child is experiencing any of the following symptoms:
- Difficulty or changes in breathing
- Bluish lips or face
- Chest pain
- Dehydration (no urine for 8 hours, dry mouth, no tears when crying)
- Not alert or interacting when awake
- Seizures
- Fever above 104°F
- Fever or cough that improve but then return or worsen
- Worsening of chronic medical conditions
For more information about the flu, click here. To view Maine CDC's weekly influenza surveillance reports, click here.
