Child, teen die from flu in northern Ohio
WHIO TV • • health
Key Points:
- Two pediatric flu-related deaths have been reported in northern Ohio during the 2025-2026 flu season, involving a child under 6 and a teenager under 18, marking the first such fatalities in Lucas County this season.
- Health Commissioner Karim Baroudi stressed the seriousness of influenza, especially in children, urging families to take precautions, get vaccinated, and seek early medical care to reduce risks.
- The Ohio Department of Health typically reports between one and seven pediatric flu-related deaths each season, highlighting the ongoing risk despite most cases being mild.
- Parents and caregivers are advised to watch for severe symptoms in children, such as difficulty breathing, bluish skin or lips, decreased alertness, dehydration, and worsening fever or cough
