RICHMOND, Va. — The Virginia Department of Health (VDH) confirmed this week that two children have died after contracting the flu, marking the first pediatric influenza-related deaths in the state for the 2024-25 flu season.
The victims were an Eastern Virginia child aged between 5 and 12 and a teenager from Central Virginia, aged 13 to 17. These tragic losses highlight the potentially severe consequences of the flu, particularly for vulnerable populations such as young children.
Karen Shelton, the State Health Commissioner for the VDH, expressed condolences to the grieving families, saying, “With a heavy heart, the Virginia Department of Health mourns the loss of two young lives. Our sympathies go out to the families during this difficult time. These losses are a sad reminder that while flu is common, it can be associated with serious illness and even death.”
As flu cases continue to rise across Virginia, the VDH is urging residents to take preventive measures to avoid contracting or spreading the virus. The department issued several key recommendations, including:
- Stay home if feeling sick to avoid spreading the illness.
- Wash hands frequently with soap and water, or use alcohol-based hand sanitizers.
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue or the inside of the elbow, not hands.
- Get vaccinated annually if over the age of six months.
While most people recover from the flu without complications, the virus can cause severe illness or even death in certain groups, particularly young children, the elderly, and individuals with underlying health conditions. Health officials emphasize that people who are at higher risk of complications should seek medical care promptly if flu symptoms begin to appear. Antiviral medications, when prescribed early, are most effective within the first two days of illness.
As of January 18, 2025, respiratory illnesses in Virginia were at moderate levels, with over 17% of emergency room visits attributed to flu and other respiratory illnesses. Notably, children have accounted for the highest number of flu-related ER visits in the state.
Despite the rising flu cases, vaccination rates in Virginia remain low. According to the VDH, only 30% of Virginians have received a flu vaccine this season. Public health officials are strongly encouraging individuals who have not yet been vaccinated to do so, as vaccines have been shown to significantly reduce the severity of illness and prevent hospitalizations and deaths.
In the 2023-24 flu season, vaccination efforts helped prevent:
- 8 million flu-related illnesses
- 8 million flu-related medical visits
- 120,000 flu-related hospitalizations
- 7,900 flu-related deaths
As flu season continues, experts urge Virginians to protect themselves and others by getting vaccinated. The vaccine remains one of the most effective tools in reducing the risk of serious complications associated with the flu virus.
For more information on flu prevention and vaccination, residents are encouraged to visit the Virginia Department of Health website or consult their healthcare provider.
