Even though the flu season is slow this year, the influenza is on the rise in Utah and other Southern US states, as well. Unfortunately, a deadly flu strain is on the increase in the US, and it already killed 13 children. The H1N1 strain, which is prevalent during this flu season, is mainly affecting children more than the rest of the population, so kids across the United States are more endangered during this year’s influenza spread.
According to the CDC, the death toll due to influenza have already reached double digits in children across the US, as 19 US states, the majority of which are in the southern US, are now showing high levels of flu activity in comparison with the last week.
On the other hand, the 2019 flu season is evolving slower than the last year’s one. “It’s too soon to say what direction it will go. We know right now we are going up, we just don’t know when it will start coming back down,” stated Lynnette Brammer from the CDC.
Deadly Flu Strain Killed 13 Children Already
Even though the current flu season had a slow start across the United States, influenza made its first victim on December 6th, 2018, as the virus killed a 6-year-old girl, Allison Eagle Speaker. Now, her mother is warning other parents and advises them to immunize their kids before tragedies happen.
“This illness hit her really hard and really fast. For it to just take her life, nothing prepares you for how fast it moves,” said Crystal White Shield, Allison’s mother.
However, Allison was unlucky to die from the H1N1 influenza strain. She suffered from a mild form of asthma. On the other hand, the CDC warns that, otherwise, more than 50 percent of the kids who die from the flu are healthy.
The best protection for your kids remains flu shots, so it’s never too late to immunize your children against influenza.
