First pediatric flu case for 2018-2019 season confirmed in Delaware

DOVER, Del. – The Delaware Division of Public Health (DPH) has reported the state’s first lab confirmed case of influenza in a child for the 2018-2019 flu season.

We’re told the case involves a 5-year-old from Sussex County, bringing the total number of flu cases this season to six as of October 5th.

The other cases include a 40-year-old male and 26-year old female out of New Castle County, along with a 72-year-old female, and 70-year-old and 44-year-old males out of Kent County.

During the 2017-2018 flu season, Delaware recorded 9,051 flu cases, which is the highest number since record-keeping began in 2005. More than 1,200 people were hospitalized as a result of the flu, and 35 died from complications of the flu.

DPH is urging everyone to get their flu vaccine, especially those at high risk for the flu. More information about the flu can be found on Delaware Health’s flu page or on the CDC website.