Cochise County reported its first child influenza (flu) death Friday, making the second child death in Arizona this season.
Last month, Pinal County reported the season's first child influenza death in Arizona.
“This heartbreaking news is a reminder that flu illness is more dangerous than the common cold for children,” Cochise County Health and Social Services said. “Every flu season, thousands of children younger than five are hospitalized from flu complications.”
Health officials encourage parents to consult their children’s doctors if your “child is 5 years or older and does not have a long-term health problem and gets flu symptoms, including a fever and/or cough.”