Pennsylvania reports 1st child flu-related death of season

Pennsylvania health officials have reported the first pediatric flu death in the state this season — one of a dozen new flu deaths in the past week.

Deaths were recorded for the week ending Feb. 22 in each of the four age groups reported by the state health department. That included one death in the newborn-to-18 age group.

The state does not release specific ages or where those who died are from to protect their privacy, department spokeswoman Brittany Lauffer said.

“We unfortunately did see the first pediatric death in Pennsylvania,” Lauffer said. “The flu is deadly, and anyone can be affected by the flu.”

The Allegheny County Health Department reported two additional flu-related deaths in the past week — one in their 90s, the other in their 50s, and both with underlying medical conditions — for a total of 12 this season to-date.

There have been 66 flu-associated deaths statewide this season, up from 54 as of the week ending Feb. 15. The majority of those deaths, 43, were among those age 65 and up; that age group saw six additional deaths.

Deaths in the 50-to-64 age group increased by two to 13. Deaths in the 19-to-49 age group increased by three to nine.

The total number of laboratory-confirmed flu cases statewide increased by 13% to 95,604. Flu-associated hospitalizations increased by 19% to 2,228.

Type B flu accounts for 59% of all confirmed flu cases statewide. However, Type A cases, accounting for 40%, increased at nearly double the rate of Type B, with Type A cases up 20% compared to a 9% increase for Type B.

The main difference between Type A and B are the groups affected, with Type A affecting the very young and very old more, Lauffer said.

While this season initially saw mostly Type B cases, a second wave of Type A cases throughout the state shows that the flu season is not over yet, Lauffer said.

“Flu season will likely continue through March. It is not too late to get your flu vaccine,” Lauffer said. “Last week, the CDC announced that estimates for the flu vaccine for the 2019-2020 season is showing substantial protection, especially in children.”

In the seven-county Pittsburgh region, confirmed flu cases increased by 9% to 20,111. Of those identified by type, about 60% were Type B, while about 33% were Type A.

More than half of the total, 10,508, were in Allegheny County, which has had the most cases of any county in Pennsylvania since the flu season started in late September. Montgomery County is second with 7,148 cases.

In the seven-county Pittsburgh area — including Allegheny, Armstrong, Beaver, Butler, Fayette, Washington and Westmoreland counties — Butler and Fayette reported the largest increases with 12% each.