Maine CDC: School-aged child is first flu death this season

[Shiloh]

Source: http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/Maine-CDC-reports-first-flu-death-this-season.html

Updated: 10:56 AM
Maine CDC: School-aged child is first flu death this season
Maine's CDC director says the death should serve as a sobering reminder that everyone over the age of six months should be vaccinated each year.
By Eric Russell erussell@pressherald.com
Staff Writer

AUGUSTA ? A school-aged child from central Maine died last week from the flu, the Maine Center for Disease Control reported Tuesday.

State officials did not release the child's exact age or hometown but said it was the first death this season attributed to influenza...

 

[Giuseppe]

Re: Maine CDC: School-aged child is first flu death this season

[Source: Maine Department of Health, full page: (LINK).]

December 18, 2012

Flu Vaccine Remains Available As Disease Continues To Rise



AUGUSTA ? The Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention urges those who have not yet been vaccinated against influenza to receive a flu shot this season. There is plenty of vaccine readily available, according to Dr. Sheila Pinette, Director of the Maine CDC and influenza cases are on the rise in Maine.

Last week, a school-aged child from Central Maine died from influenza A, Pinette said, marking the first pediatric death of the flu season in Maine. Pediatric death due to flu is required to be reported to public health officials and is rare, Pinette said.

"Flu is often seen as a disease that takes the life of the elderly and frail, but children are also vulnerable.

The U.S. CDC recommends an annual flu vaccine as the first and best way to protect against influenza. Everyone 6 months of age and older should get a flu vaccine annually, even if they were vaccinated last year.

Every year, up to 20 percent of U.S. residents will get the flu.

On average, more than 200,000 will be hospitalized for influenza-related complications. People at high risk for developing flu-related complications include: children younger than 5; adults 65 of age and older; pregnant women; American Indians; Alaskan natives; people who have underlying medical conditions (including asthma, heart disease, and weakened immune systems); and those who are morbidly obese.

Once vaccinated, it takes about two weeks for immune protection to begin, Pinette said.

Signs of influenza include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headaches and fatigue. "Anyone with these symptoms should follow the No Flu 4 You guidelines? Dr. Pinette said. ?This includes hand washing, good respiratory etiquette including covering your cough, staying home while ill and getting vaccinated."

For questions regarding the vaccine please contact the Maine Immunization Program at 207-287-3746 or 1-800-867-4775 or by e-mail at immuneme@maine.gov.

For questions regarding the disease, or to report cases or an outbreak contact the Infectious Disease Epidemiology Program at 1-800-821-5821 or by e-mail at disease.reporting@maine.gov.
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[Shiloh]

Re: Maine CDC: School-aged child is first flu death this season

Source: http://www.onlinesentinel.com/news/Benton-girl-is-Maines-first-influenza-death-since-2010.html

Posted: 4:29 PM
Updated: 4:29 PM
Benton girl is Maine's first influenza death since 2010
Avery Lane, a first-grade student at Benton Elementary School, died last week
By Matt Hongoltz-Hetling mhhetling@mainetoday.com
MaineToday Media

BENTON ? The death of a 6-year-old girl from Benton is the first flu fatality in Maine since 2010...

...The girl, Avery Lane, a first-grade student at Benton Elementary School, died last week. Her grandmother, Pam Souzer, called Avery "very kind, very loving."

"Like the children you've seen in the Connecticut shooting, she was a wonderful little girl," Souzer said.

The death of Avery, who has five siblings, sent waves of shock throughout the school community...