COLUMBUS – A 9-year-old Clermont County girl is the first pediatric flu death of the 2023-24 season reported by the Ohio Department of Health.
The agency (reported the death, which is being investigated by Clermont County Public Health, on Friday.
Flu activity in Ohio usually peaks between December and February. It has been increasing since early December and current activity is high.
Since the start of the season, over 900 influenza-associated hospitalizations have been reported in Ohio, which is below the five-year average for this time in the season, director Dr. Bruce Vanderhoff said.
“We are in the heart of flu season, and a vaccine may help prevent you or your loved ones from contracting a serious case of the disease. If you haven’t gotten a flu vaccine, now is a good time,” he said.
Ohio generally reports between one and six influenza-associated pediatric deaths each year, Vanderhoff said.