Flu Prevention after Four Children Die

ZANESVILLE, Ohio – Four children in the state of Ohio have died due to flu-related illnesses and flu shots are still available.

A 6-year-old boy from Salem, 7-year-old boy from East Liverpool, 7-year-old girl from Fulton County, and a 6-year-old girl in Cuyahoga County all have passed away and the Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department’s Dr. Vicki Whitacre is warning families how alarming this is.

“We usually only have about one pediatric death in the state of Ohio from the flu each year, but this year for some reason we have had four and there’s only been twenty pediatric deaths in the whole United States so far this year,” Dr. Whitacre said. “So that is a little concerning I hope everyone is immunizing their children against the flu.”

Dr. Whitacre said parents and guardians need to help their children to understand covering their coughs with an elbow, washing hands often, keeping a clean environment, and staying home when very ill with a fever. However for those students that still attend school while sick with a cold should follow the same procedures.

“The children if they’re coughing need to be covering their coughs or maybe set away from everybody, at least three feet away, and encourage the children to wash their hands frequently and I’m sure that the school staffs are cleaning things very well as best they can,” said Dr. Whitacre.

There are plenty of flu vaccines left Dr. Whitacre suggests for those in need of one can go to their doctor, Rambo Memorial Health, Zanesville-Muskingum County Health Department, and any pharmacy.