US CDC reports 105 flu-related child deaths this winter
Xinhua
1582323498000

800.jpeg

(Photo: AP)

WASHINGTON, Feb. 21 (Xinhua) -- A total of 105 flu-associated child deaths were reported this winter as of Feb. 15, the second high number at this point since the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) started reporting in 2004, only smaller than that in the 2009-2010 flu pandemic.

CDC announced Friday in a report that more than 13,000 had been hospitalized for influenza this winter in the United States. The overall hospitalization rates remained similar to this time during recent seasons, but rates among children and young adults were higher at this time than in recent seasons.

CDC estimated that so far this season there had been at least 29 million flu illnesses, 280,000 hospitalizations and 16,000 influenza-related deaths from flu.

Seasonal influenza-related deaths are deaths that occur in people for whom influenza infection is likely a contributor to the cause of death, but not necessarily the primary cause of death, according to CDC.

The National Center for Health Statistics mortality surveillance data showed that 6.8 percent of the deaths occurring during the week ending Feb. 8 were due to pneumonia and influenza. This percentage was below the epidemic threshold of 7.3 percent that week.