In Brief
Pandemic Flu Monitor: CDC Says At Least 36 Children Have Died
“Federal health officials reported Thursday that at least 36 children in the United States had died of swine flu as of Aug. 8, including many who had underlying disorders of the nervous system. Some also had chronic lung disease, and one had leukemia.
“But some of the children had been perfectly healthy, and died of bacterial infections with staph or strep that set in after the flu.
“A report on the deaths was published online Thursday by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and discussed at a news conference by Dr. Thomas R. Frieden, the centers’ director.”
The 36 who died ranged in age from 2 months to 17 years, with a median age of 9 years. Nearly two-thirds had nervous system disorders like cerebral palsy, muscular dystrophy or developmental delays. Children with nerve and muscle problems may be at especially high risk for complications from the flu because they cannot cough hard enough to clear their airways.”
Source: New York Times, September 4, 2009
