Tragic news emerges from Ohio as a 9-year-old girl hailing from Clermont County succumbs to the flu, marking the state’s inaugural pediatric flu-related death for the 2023-24 season, as confirmed by the Ohio Department of Health (ODH) on Friday.
The ODH further highlighted a concerning surge in flu activity across Ohio since the onset of December, categorizing the current levels as notably elevated. Typically, the state witnesses the zenith of flu cases between December and February.
While Ohio has logged over 900 hospitalizations linked to influenza since the season’s commencement, the figures remain below the established five-year average for this timeframe. In light of these developments, Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff, ODH Director, emphasized the urgency of flu vaccinations, stating, “Securing a flu vaccine now can potentially shield you or your dear ones from grappling with severe flu complications.”
For those seeking vaccination, ODH underscores the availability of flu shots across numerous healthcare settings, including doctor’s offices, health departments, and local pharmacies. Concurrently, the health department underscores fundamental preventive measures such as rigorous hand hygiene, the use of alcohol-based sanitizers, adherence to coughing and sneezing etiquettes, and minimizing face-touching to curb flu transmission.
Historically, Ohio registers an annual average of one to six influenza-related pediatric fatalities. In response to this recent tragedy, the Clermont County Public Health has initiated an investigation into the circumstances surrounding the young girl’s demise.
