State officials reported the first pediatric flu-related death for the 2025-2026 flu season this week. A child in the western region of the state recently died due to complications of influenza, according to the Dept. of Health and Human Services (DHHS).
“This is a tragic reminder that flu infections can be serious or even deadly,” said State Epidemiologist Zack Moore, M.D, MPH. “If you or your loved ones have not received the flu vaccine this season, I hope you will consider doing so to help protect yourself and your community.”
Influenza activity is surging just as holiday travel and gatherings begin. North Carolina has recently seen an increase in flu activity and flu-associated adult deaths. So far, ten adult flu-associated deaths have already been reported in North Carolina this season. Nationally, 280 children died from flu complications last season, the highest number since the 2009-2010 influenza A(H1N1) pandemic. Approximately half of the children who died from influenza last season did not have an underlying medical condition, and 89 percent were not fully vaccinated. NCDHHS tracks influenza, COVID-19, RSV and other respiratory viruses that may be circulating and publishes data weekly on the Respiratory Virus Surveillance Dashboard.
Vaccines are the best way to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death from flu and other viral respiratory infections like COVID-19 and RSV. Flu vaccinations are especially important for children who are at higher risk of developing severe disease or complications, including those younger than 5 years old, especially under 2 years old, or those with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or a weakened immune system.
To help North Carolinians understand how to defend themselves against serious illness from the flu, COVID-19 and RSV, NCDHHS has released a bilingual Respiratory Illness Communications Toolkit for the 2025–2026 respiratory virus season. The toolkit offers ready-to-share fact sheets, social media content, videos, posters, and other materials to help communities, health departments, schools, and employers share respiratory illness information.
Early testing and treatment with an antiviral drug can also help prevent flu infections from becoming more serious in children. Antiviral treatment works best if started soon after symptoms begin. To improve access to antiviral treatment, NCDHHS State Health Director and Chief Medical Officer Dr. Larry Greenblatt issued Standing Orders this fall to allow pharmacists at retail locations to test for the influenza virus and then immediately treat with the appropriate medications to reduce severity of illness when appropriate.
In addition to vaccines and treatment, the following everyday preventive actions should be taken to protect children against respiratory viruses:
- Regularly wash your hands with soap and water. Alcohol-based cleaner or sanitizer can help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses to others but does not work for some other common viruses like norovirus.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects that may be contaminated
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then discard the tissue promptly
- Stay home when sick, except to seek medical care or testing, and take steps to avoid spreading infection to others in your home, including:
- Staying in a separate room from other household members, if possible
- Using a separate bathroom, if possible
- Avoiding contact with other members of the household and pets
- Not sharing personal household items, like cups, towels and utensils
- Wearing a mask when around other people
For more information on respiratory viruses, including how to access vaccines near you, visit MySpot.nc.gov.
Be the first to comment