CBS News Four children have died from the flu in Massachusetts so far this season, public health officials say.
The deaths occurred in recent weeks as peak flu season gets underway, according to the Department of Public Health. The Boston Public Health Commission said Tuesday that two of the deaths were children in the city under 2 years old.
“These viruses are serious, dangerous, and life-threatening. We are seeing children who are seriously ill, families grieving devastating losses, and hospitals under capacity strain,” Public Health Commissioner Dr. Robbie Goldstein said in a statement.
“Would not be surprising to see more”
There were 10 pediatric flu deaths in the 2024-2025 season, the department said – a record-high.
“It’s early in the season yet and it would not be surprising to see more, sadly,” said Dr. Larry Madoff, the medical director of the department’s bureau of infectious disease and laboratory sciences. “It’s shaping up to be a severe early flu season.”