Sacramento County reports child was first flu-related death of the year
BREAKING NEWS THIS MORNING. SACRAMENTO COUNTY OFFICIALS HAVE ANNOUNCED ITS FIRST FLU RELATED DEATH OF THE SEASON. THE COUNTY DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES SAYS IT WAS A CHILD WITH NO UNDERLYING MEDICAL CONDITIONS. THEIR VACCINATION STATUS IS UNKNOWN. AND THIS MORNING WE WELCOME COUNTY PUBLIC HEALTH OFFICER DOCTOR OLIVIA, DOCTOR, GOOD MORNING. THANKS SO MUCH FOR BEING HERE. GOOD MORNING. THANK YOU FOR HAVING ME EXPLAIN. FIRST OF ALL, WHAT DO WE KNOW ABOUT THE CHILD THE CHILD’S AGE, THEIR ILLNESS AND ULTIMATELY HOW THE FLU CONTRIBUTED TO THEIR DEATH? WE’RE NOT ABLE TO GIVE SPECIFICS ON THE AGE, BUT IT WAS A CHILD AND THAT THE CHILD WAS HOSPITALIZED WITH FLU SYMPTOMS AND DIED OF COMPLICATIONS OF THE FLU. HOW COMMON ARE PEDIATRIC FLU DEATHS IN SACRAMENTO COUNTY? THEY’RE NOT VERY COMMON, BUT WE KNOW THAT YOUNG PEOPLE AND OLDER PEOPLE ARE AT GREATER RISK OF COMPLICATIONS FROM THE FLU. SO IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT WE GET THE MESSAGE OUT ABOUT PREVENTION. THIS SPECIFIC SEASON. IS THE COUNTY SEEING AN INCREASE IN THE NUMBER OF FLU CASES AND HOSPITALIZATIONS AMONG CHILDREN FROM OUR SURVEILLANCE SYSTEM? WE CAN SEE THAT THE FLU RATES ARE STILL LOW, BUT WE HAVE STARTED SEEING AN UPTICK IN CASES, ESPECIALLY IN CHILDREN, SINCE THE BEGINNING OF DECEMBER. AND AS WE GO INTO THE HOLIDAYS, IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT THAT PEOPLE ARE AWARE AS THEY GATHER WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY. WE HAVE BEEN, OF COURSE, TELLING OUR VIEWERS ABOUT THIS NEW STRAIN OF THE FLU AS WELL. HOW EFFECTIVE IS THIS SEASON’S VACCINE SPECIFIC TO ADDRESSING THAT STRAIN? WE STILL HAVEN’T RECEIVED THE FINAL INFORMATION AND DATA ON HOW EFFECTIVE IT IS, BUT WE KNOW THAT THE VACCINE IS THE BEST PROTECTION THAT WE HAVE. AND SO IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT FOR PEOPLE TO GET VACCINATED. WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS THAT OTHER PARENTS THAT ARE WATCHING THIS MORNING SHOULD NEVER IGNORE WHEN THEIR CHILD IS SICK? AND SPECIFICALLY RELATED TO THOSE FLU AND UPPER RESPIRATORY SYMPTOMS? IF A CHILD IS HAS A REALLY HIGH FEVER, MUSCLE ACHES, IS VOMITING A LOT, OR IS NOT ABLE TO TAKE ANYTHING IN, SEEMS TO BE DEHYDRATED. IT’S REALLY IMPORTANT AT THAT POINT TO MAKE SURE THAT THEY CHECK WITH THEIR HEALTHCARE PROVIDER. WHAT IS THE MESSAGE TO OTHER FAMILIES AND PARENTS WHO WILL SEE THIS INTERVIEW THIS MORNING AND HEAR THIS NEWS AND BE CONCERNED ABOUT THEIR CHILDREN? WHAT MESSAGE DO YOU WANT TO TELL THEM? THERE ARE THINGS THAT WE CAN DO TO PROTECT OUR FAMILIES, PROTECT OUR LOVED ONES. ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT IS TO MAKE SURE THAT YOU AND YOUR LOVED ONES ARE UP TO DATE ON VACCINATIONS, AND ALSO YOU NEED TO BE AWARE OF OTHER THINGS THAT YOU CAN DO, SUCH AS HAND-WASHING, WEARING MASKS IN CROWDED PLACES, AND GOOD COUGH ETIQUETTE. ALL OF THES
Sacramento County reports child was first flu-related death of the year
Updated: 9:02 AM PST Dec 23, 2025
Sacramento County on Tuesday reported its first flu-related death of the year, which was a child.The child, whose vaccination status is unknown, had no underlying medical conditions and died of complications of the flu, the county said.No other details were released on the child, but the county provided some information about influenza, a contagious respiratory illness.While it can cause mild to severe illness, some cases can result in death.Below are the following symptoms one can feel if they have the flu:FeverCoughSore throatRunny or stuffy noseMuscle or body achesHeadachesFatigue (tiredness)Vomiting and diarrheaThe California Department of Public Health recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months receive the flu vaccine each year.The following steps can also be taken to reduce the likelihood of contracting the flu and other respiratory illnesses:Wash hands thoroughly and frequently.Cover coughs and sneezes.Stay home from work or school when sick.Consider indoor masking in crowded places.Improve ventilation by opening windows or moving events outdoors.Disinfect frequently used surfaces.If you’re looking for where to receive a flu vaccine, you can find locations here.See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel
SACRAMENTO, Calif. —
Sacramento County on Tuesday reported its first flu-related death of the year, which was a child.
The child, whose vaccination status is unknown, had no underlying medical conditions and died of complications of the flu, the county said.
No other details were released on the child, but the county provided some information about influenza, a contagious respiratory illness.
While it can cause mild to severe illness, some cases can result in death.
Below are the following symptoms one can feel if they have the flu:
FeverCoughSore throatRunny or stuffy noseMuscle or body achesHeadachesFatigue (tiredness)Vomiting and diarrhea
The California Department of Public Health recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months receive the flu vaccine each year.
The following steps can also be taken to reduce the likelihood of contracting the flu and other respiratory illnesses:
Wash hands thoroughly and frequently.Cover coughs and sneezes.Stay home from work or school when sick.Consider indoor masking in crowded places.Improve ventilation by opening windows or moving events outdoors.Disinfect frequently used surfaces.
If you’re looking for where to receive a flu vaccine, you can find locations here.
See more coverage of top California stories here | Download our app | Subscribe to our morning newsletter | Find us on YouTube here and subscribe to our channel