Health officials have confirmed that two children have died from the flu this season in New York City.
The city’s health department says an 8-year-old girl from Queens died on Monday after being rushed to the hospital. The second death was described as a pediatric patient from New York City. Officials gave no other details.
Overall, there have been nearly 37,000 lab-confirmed flu cases over the past eight weeks in New York state, with more than 9,300 people requiring hospitalization.
Doctor visits for flu-like symptoms hit their highest level nationwide since the 2009 swine flu pandemic.
Last season, there were 106 influenza-associated pediatric deaths nationally, including six pediatric flu deaths in New York City.
Health officials say it’s not too late to get the flu shot, especially for children.