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Kentucky child dies from flu, first in state this season

Health officials in Kentucky said that a child from suburban Cincinnati in Kenton County has died of the flu.

It's the first reported death of a juvenile from the flu this season in the commonwealth. The child did not have a flu vaccine.

According to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services, Kentucky is experiencing a higher rate of emergency room visits and hospitalizations for the flu among children younger than 5 than it did in 2024. 

The child's death comes amid growing concerns from the CDC on the flu. In the U.S., flu typically begins its winter march in December. On Tuesday, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported high or very high levels of illness in more than half the states.

The CDC estimated there have been at least 7.5 million illnesses, 81,000 hospitalizations and 3,100 deaths from flu so far this season. That includes at least eight child deaths — and is based on data as of Dec. 20, before major holiday gatherings.

According to the cabinet, most flu and COVID cases are mild, but some symptoms signal more serious cases that need medical attention. Those symptoms include difficulty breathing, seizures, bluish lips or face, fevers higher than 104 degrees, coughing that improves but then comes back or gets worse, and dehydration.

Young children, adults older than 65 and immunocompromised or chronically ill people are most at risk for serious flu cases.

The cabinet also recommends people take general precautions including to wash hands with soap and warm water, cover coughs and sneezes, and stay at home from work or school when sick.


(AP Photo Lindsey Wasson)
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