:quality(70)/arc-anglerfish-arc2-prod-cmg.s3.amazonaws.com/public/HSZJQAAJOJENFD5JQVHMYIXIVQ.webp)
KING COUNTY, Wash. — An elementary-school-aged King County child died from flu complications, health officials said Wednesday.
Officials said this is the first child to die of flu complications in King County since 2009.
“Losing a child to influenza is heartbreaking and I want to extend our deep sympathy to the family,” said Dr. Jeff Duchin, Health Officer for Public Health – Seattle & King County. ”This death is a tragic reminder of how serious influenza can be, especially for young children, pregnant women, the elderly, and people with long-term health conditions.
Scroll down to continue reading
More news from KIRO 7
- State Transportation Commission to recommend changing Washington to a ‘Pay Per Mile’ state
- Homeless agency director resigns after video of dancer goes viral
- Gift wrapping hack goes viral on Twitter
- Bail set at $500,000 for suspect in fatal police chase
- Do you have an investigative story tip? Send us an email at investigate@kiro7.com
The child, who was previously healthy, died Dec. 15 at a Pierce County hospital.
Health officials said there have also been two reported flu-related deaths of adults in King County this flu season.
© 2019 Cox Media Group
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/YNB22GFC2XDTUMW6RZYBCIEAEE.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/GMXYY7SVUBDU3FLERVFELJRU5Q.jpg)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/TSAQQQMJXBEQLM2ZWHJ7DKQNJ4.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/7JID6VPB7RHDLLZ4GDVODA26ZA.png)
:quality(70)/cloudfront-us-east-1.images.arcpublishing.com/cmg/O4ONB5LQ7RED5OCLYWDEXDO4NU.jpg)