The Virginia Department of Health has confirmed the state’s first flu-related pediatric death this season, as public health officials across Virginia continue to monitor increased flu activity.
Health officials yesterday (Thursday) said a preschool-aged child — between newborn age and 4 years old — died from flu-related complications. The child was from Virginia’s Eastern Region, which largely covers the Tidewater and Eastern Shore areas. The health department is not releasing additional information about the child to protect the family’s privacy.
“We at the Virginia Department of Health, are broken hearted and extend our sympathies to the family of this child during this difficult time,” State Health Commissioner Karen Shelton said in a press release. “Even though the flu is common, it can cause serious illness and even death. I urge everyone who is eligible to receive the flu vaccine to do so not only to protect themselves, but to protect those around them.”
During the 2024-25 flu season, the VDH reported six pediatric flu-related deaths — two each for the age ranges of 0-4, 5-12 and 13-17. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said 2024-25’s 280 pediatric flu deaths marked the deadliest flu season on record since 2004, with the exception of the 2009-2010 H1N1 pandemic.
About half of the children who died had underlying health conditions, and 89% were not up-to-date on recommended flu shots.
The new H3N2 “subclade K” flu strain, first identified in August, has been associated with case increases this flu season. Across Northern Virginia’s health districts, the peak this season was 1,815 diagnosed flu visits to the emergency room during the week ending on Dec. 27. That fell to 947 visits during the week of Jan. 10.
Last season’s peak in the Northern Virginia region was 1,913 flu-related ER visits during the week of Feb. 8, 2025.
In Alexandria, flu-related emergency visits have started to drop but remain elevated since the last two weeks of December, when visits more than tripled. In the week ending Jan. 10, the city had 85 total flu-related visits. That’s compared to 115 visits reported the week prior, according to state data.
While health officials say the latest seasonal flu vaccine was developed before the mutated subclade K strain, it can still provide protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death from a flu infection.
They recommend annual flu shots for most residents aged 6 months and older, especially for people at higher risk for flu-related complications.
An estimated 28.3 percent of Virginians have received this season’s flu shot, according to VDH. Residents can find flu vaccines at pharmacies, medical offices, some federally qualified health care centers and local health departments.
VDH recommends the following tips to mitigate the spread of flu and other respiratory illnesses:
- Wash your hands often with soap and water or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
- Cover coughs or sneezes with a tissue or the inside of your elbow instead of your open hand
- Stay at home when you feel sick
People with an increased risk for flu complication are advised to talk to a health care provider when symptoms begin, to see if antiviral treatment is recommended. Treatment works best when started within two days of symptoms starting.
Photo via fr0ggy5/Unsplash.
