First influenza pediatric death confirmed in Austin/Travis County

The Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department is confirming the first influenza-associated pediatric death in Austin/Travis County. Officials say the child did test positive for the rapid A influenza test and that the child had several underlying health conditions.

The death brings the total number of flu deaths this season to nine. Two adults were less than 60-years-old and the six adults were 60 and older.

You can additional influenza information here.

The Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department says Texas continues to report high influenza-like illness activity. Anyone can get influenza, and serious health problems from influenza can occur at any age. The severity of an influenza season varies from year to year and depends on the strains of circulating influenza viruses, infection rates, and the levels of protective antibody in the population.

The Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department reminds people to follow these behaviors to avoid flu and other illnesses:

-Get a flu vaccine

-Wash your hands often

-Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth

-Cover your coughs and sneezes. Cough or sneeze into your sleeve and not your hands

-If you feel sick, stay home from work or school and contact your primary care doctor

More information about flu vaccines and general flu information can be found here and here.