NEW JERSEY – A child died of influenza back in December, the first pediatric flu death of this flu season.
That information was released by the New Jersey Department of Health Tuesday.
“I am deeply saddened for the family of this young child, who experienced an unthinkable loss,” Health Commissioner Dr. Shereef Elnahal said.
The Department would only say that the child lived in the central part of the state. For privacy reasons, no other information is being released to the public.
The Department said flu season has kicked into high gear and is urging everyone—especially health workers—to get a flu shot.
Caution is also being urged: wash and disinfect hands frequently, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay home and call a health care provider if sick, especially with a fever.
For more tips on flu prevention, visit ochd.org/infectious-disease-services/#faq.
New Jersey residents can find flu vaccination clinics at cdc.gov/flu/freeresources/flu-finder-widget.html or localhealth.nj.gov.
