Minnesota sees 1st flu-related child death this flu season

Published 10:29 am Friday, March 11, 2016

ST. PAUL — The Minnesota Department of Health says the state has seen the first flu-related death of a child this flu season.

An update issued Thursday by the Department of Health said the agency has recorded a pediatric flu-related death. The department reported 10 pediatric flu-related deaths last year.

Department epidemiologist Karen Martin says this year’s dominant strain tends to more frequently affect younger and older people.

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The department update said the flu is still considered “widespread,” which is a designation used when at least half of Minnesota’s reporting districts report outbreaks.