Arizona has recorded its first flu-related death in a child for the 2025 flu season, according to the Pinal County Public Health Services District.
Health director Merissa Mendoza gave her condolences in a Jan. 10 press release, stating, “Our deepest sympathy goes out to this child’s family.” The district is maintaining the family’s privacy by withholding any further details, Mendoza said.
The recent death comes amid a surge in flu cases across the state. Pinal County alone has reported 2,794 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases since the start of the current flu season, while the state has recorded over 30,000 cases documented in Arizona, according to the district.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) strongly advises flu shots for everyone aged six months and older, health officials noted. Even if one contracts the virus after vaccination, the shot can help prevent severe outcomes like hospitalization and death, they said.
They said it’s urgent to get vaccinated sooner rather than later as it takes approximately two weeks for the immune system to build up defenses against the virus.
Beyond vaccination, public health experts recommend several other measures to protect against the virus and its spread. Such includes frequent handwashing, covering coughs with one’s sleeve, avoiding touching the face, and staying home when feeling ill.
Recognizing flu symptoms plays a critical role in early intervention. Common signs include sudden onset of fever or chills, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, body aches, headaches, and fatigue. Some people, particularly children, may also experience vomiting and diarrhea.
For those at high risk of complications, such as the elderly or immunocompromised, receiving prompt medical care is crucial. Antiviral medications can be most effective when taken within 48 hours of the onset of symptoms, health officials noted.
Looking back at the 2023 to 2024 flu season, which lasted from Oct. 1, 2023, to Nov. 28, 2024, the state recorded roughly 2,600 deaths, which was down 43 percent compared to the previous season, which saw around 4,500 deaths, according to figures by the Arizona Department of Health Services.
Outside of the flu, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) cases were down by 77 percent during the same period compared to the previous season, with 1,250 reported cases in the 2023 to 2024 season.
COVID-19 cases also saw a reduction of 43 percent for the same period, falling from 52,500 to 30,000 cases.