Yesterday, the Department of Health (DOH) announced the first influenza-associated death of the 2023-2023 season in an Oʻahu resident under the age of 18. Out of respect for the family’s privacy, no further information about the child is being released.

Hawaiʻi’s last pediatric death from influenza occurred in June 2023. During the 2022-23 flu season, Hawaiʻi recorded four pediatric deaths due to influenza.

This season, the state has seen a rise in flu cases in recent weeks in combination with rising RSV cases and continued COVID-19 activity.

Recent studies have shown that flu vaccination decreases the risk of severe disease, emergency department visits, hospitalization, and death. Everyone six months and over can receive an influenza vaccine at pharmacies, clinics, or healthcare facilities.

While vaccination is the best protection against flu, basic prevention measures can also reduce the spread of flu, COVID-19, and RSV. Daily actions such as hand washing, staying home when sick, and covering when coughing and sneezing can help stop the spread of germs and increase your protection. While not required, masking is also still an effective prevention measure for respiratory illnesses.

More information about influenza and other respiratory diseases is available at https://health.hawaii.gov/docd/disease-types/respiratory-viruses/.