8-month-old dies from flu, marking Ohio’s first flu-associated pediatric death of season

On Apr 1, 2022

Ohio health officials reported the state’s first flu-related pediatric death of the 2021-22 season Friday.Officials said an 8-month-old boy from Ashland County died from a flu-associated illness.The Ashland County Health Department investigated the death.Ohio health officials report that there have been 972 flu-associated hospitalizations reported in the state so far this flu season compared to the 108 reported during the same time period within the 2020-21 influenza season, which saw an unusually low amount of influenza compared to more typical flu seasons.Health officials said that at this point in the 2019-20 flu season, there were 10,540 hospitalizations.The health department said COVID-19 prevention efforts like wearing face masks, staying at home, hand washing have likely contributed to the decline in flu numbers. COVID-19 mitigation measures such as wearing face masks, staying home, hand washing, school closures, reduced travel, increased ventilation of indoor spaces, and physical distancing, likely contributed to the decline in 2020-21 flu incidence and hospitalizations.Flu activity typically peaks between December and February but can last as late as May. More information about flu and flu activity in Ohio is available at www.flu.ohio.gov.

COLUMBUS, Ohio —

Ohio health officials reported the state’s first flu-related pediatric death of the 2021-22 season Friday.

Officials said an 8-month-old boy from Ashland County died from a flu-associated illness.

The Ashland County Health Department investigated the death.

Ohio health officials report that there have been 972 flu-associated hospitalizations reported in the state so far this flu season compared to the 108 reported during the same time period within the 2020-21 influenza season, which saw an unusually low amount of influenza compared to more typical flu seasons.

Health officials said that at this point in the 2019-20 flu season, there were 10,540 hospitalizations.

The health department said COVID-19 prevention efforts like wearing face masks, staying at home, hand washing have likely contributed to the decline in flu numbers.

COVID-19 mitigation measures such as wearing face masks, staying home, hand washing, school closures, reduced travel, increased ventilation of indoor spaces, and physical distancing, likely contributed to the decline in 2020-21 flu incidence and hospitalizations.

Flu activity typically peaks between December and February but can last as late as May. More information about flu and flu activity in Ohio is available at www.flu.ohio.gov.