The flu patient was a child who tested positive for influenza B and died between Sept. 30 and Oct. 6. The child did not receive a flu shot but was healthy before contracting the virus.
The Florida health department also identified two outbreaks of flu or a flu-like virus in Hillsborough County, which both spread to schools. However, neither outbreak caused the pediatric flu death, Kevin Watler, a spokesperson for the Department of Health’s Hillsborough County office, told the Tampa Bay Times.
The CDC recommends everyone age 6 months and older receive a flu vaccine by the end of October.
More articles on clinical leadership and infection control:
US flu activity low as 2018-19 season kicks off
Hospital-acquired conditions dropped 21% from 2010-15
Probiotic kills S. aureus, NIH study finds
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