Placer County reports first child flu death this season, 14th across all age groups

A child in Placer County recently died of complications from influenza, local health officials said, marking the county’s first pediatric flu death this season.

The child, who was younger than 5 years old, had underlying health conditions but did not have COVID-19 or respiratory syncytial virus, Placer County officials said in a Tuesday news release.

The death marked the 14th of the 2022-23 flu season for the county, with the prior fatalities reported among adult residents.

“We extend our condolences to the family in this tragedy,” Dr. Rob Oldham, director of Health and Human Services and the interim public health officer for Placer County, said in a prepared statement.

Influenza transmission peaked in Placer County and across much of Northern California in December, the county said in its news release, but flu activity can continue into May.

Local health officials urged residents to get their flu shots, to stay home when sick and to practice good hygiene.

“It is not too late to get your flu shot, and this year’s shot appears to be a good match for circulating strains,” Oldham said.

At least 527 Californians have died of influenza during the current flu season, the California Department of Public Health said in a weekly influenza report for the week ending Jan. 21, including six pediatric deaths statewide.

Because symptoms of the flu can be similar to early symptoms of COVID-19, Placer officials also recommended that those experiencing flu-like symptoms get tested for coronavirus.