1st pediatric death from flu this season reported in Illinois, IDPH says
ABC7 Chicago••general
Key Points:
- Illinois has reported its first pediatric influenza death of the season, with flu activity reaching the highest level of "very high" according to the CDC, signaling a severe respiratory illness outbreak in the state.
- Flu-related emergency room visits and ICU admissions in Cook County have doubled compared to last season, with severe cases and deaths being reported, reflecting a sharp increase since mid-December.
- Nationwide, flu activity is intensifying, with at least 45 states experiencing high or very high levels, and the CDC reporting over 11 million illnesses and 5,000 deaths this season, largely driven by a new H3N2 subclade K strain.
- Although the current flu vaccine is less effective against this new strain, health officials
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