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BRIEF: Florida reports 1st child death of the 2018-19 flu season

Orlando Sentinel - 10/15/2018

Oct. 15--The first pediatric death of the 2018-2019 influenza season was recorded, according to a report by the Florida Department of Health'sBureau of Epidemiology.

The unnamed child, who had not been vaccinated, died in the first week of October and was diagnosed with "influenza B," according to the report.

"Influenza B" is one of the common strains the agency expects to see this season, and one which the flu vaccine is designed to protect against.

Orange County was reported to have "moderate" influenza activity at the start of the season, Florida Health showed. All surrounding counties were reported as "mild."

The Florida Department of Health expects the flu diagnoses to rise through out the month. According to the report, vaccination has been shown to reduce a child's likelihood of dying from the flu by up to 60 percent.

jpedersen@orlandosentinel.com, 407-420-5268, @JoeMarPedersen on Twitter or @JoeMarioPedersenJournals on Facebook

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(c)2018 The Orlando Sentinel (Orlando, Fla.)

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