(WBBM NEWSRADIO) -- DuPage County reported its first pediatric death due to the flu this season.
The unnamed adolescent died just before the Christmas holiday weekend from influenza complications.
“We are deeply saddened to hear of this tragic death from influenza,” Karen Ayala, executive director of the DuPage County Health Department, said in a statement. “Our heartfelt condolences go out to the child’s family.”
The department didn’t release further details.
So far, 61 pediatric deaths have been reported across the country this flu season. Three deaths were in Illinois.
Since October, local health officials say they’ve seen rapidly increasing flu activity compared to past seasons.
“It is not too late to get your annual flu vaccine, to help prevent serious illness, hospitalization, and death related to flu,” Ayala said.
Opportunities to get flu vaccines are available in and around DuPage County through pharmacies and medical providers—visit www.vaccines.gov to find a location near you.
DuPage Health Coalition is also offering free flu vaccine vouchers to uninsured DuPage County residents.
More information is available at https://accessdupage.org/flu/ .
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