5-Year-Old Dies From Flu In Texas

A child has died of the flu in Texas, marking the first pediatric death associated with the 2019-20 season the state, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services.

According to health officials, the 5-year-old child was from the Rio Grande region and had not been vaccinated for the flu. Health officials also said that flu activity in the state is currently at an above-average level.

The state's flu report for the week ending Nov.9 says the percentage of patients visits has increased and officials are aware of a flu-related institutional outbreak.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports flu-like activity in Texas to be moderate, the second highest level the agency assigns. Four other states and Puerto Rico also have moderate flu activity while Louisiana has high flu activity.

State health officials are urging the public to get a flu shot. Texas residents can enter their zip codeto find a pharmacy near them offering the flu shot.

The flu vaccine is recommended for anyone six months or older, the federal health guidelines say.

Those with certain health conditions and weakened immuned systems are at a higher risk of getting the flu, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Adults who are 65 or older, children younger than two and pregnant women and women who gave birth up to two weeks ago are at high risk for the flu.

For children, the vaccine has been show to reduce a risk of death, the agency says.