As this yr’s extreme flu season rages throughout the nation, federal well being officers are investigating an increase in uncommon however life-threatening mind issues in youngsters.
The U.S. Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention (CDC) says not less than 19,000 folks have died from the flu to date this winter, together with 86 youngsters.
New information present that 9 of these baby deaths concerned severe mind issues tied to the flu, the CDC reported Feb. 27 in it is Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR).
The situation, generally known as influenza-associated encephalopathy or encephalitis (IAE), is a uncommon kind of mind irritation triggered by the flu.
In extreme instances, youngsters can develop acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE), a harmful type of mind injury linked to viral infections like flu.
Whereas IAE is uncommon, the CDC’s preliminary information for the 2024–25 flu season hyperlink 13% of kid flu deaths to those mind issues.
Amongst 1,840 pediatric flu deaths reported to the CDC since 2010, 166 youngsters (9%) had these mind issues.
In some previous seasons, the proportion was decrease (4% in 2013–14 and 0% in 2020–21 when flu dropped to a historic low throughout the COVID pandemic). In different seasons, it was as excessive as 14% (2011–12 season).
One problem for public well being specialists, The Related Press reported, is that there isn’t any official system to trace IAE or ANE instances within the U.S.. This makes it exhausting to know if this yr’s numbers are increased than typical.
The CDC has requested state well being departments to report any extra instances this season.
It’s encouraging hospitals to check for flu in youngsters with extreme neurological signs and to report these instances to native well being departments.
Up to now this season, 4 of the 9 youngsters with flu-linked mind issues had essentially the most extreme kind (ANE). All have been underneath age 5.
Two of those youngsters had acquired their flu pictures, and two had not.
All 4 required mechanical air flow (life assist to assist them breathe), and two skilled seizures throughout their hospital keep, based on MMWR.
Medical doctors and hospitals have beforehand warned to look at for signs corresponding to seizures or hallucinations in youngsters with the flu.
“Progression to severe neurologic impairment and death from IAE can occur rapidly after onset of influenza symptoms,” the report learn. “Thus, prompt recognition and intervention are crucial, including neurocritical supportive care for patients with increased intracranial pressure and management of multiorgan failure.”
Regardless of the extreme flu season, solely about 45% of People have acquired their flu pictures to date.
Whereas not nice at blocking infections, the vaccine’s predominant function “is to keep you out of the hospital and to keep you alive,” Vanderbilt College vaccine professional Dr. William Schaffner advised The Related Press.
Effectiveness of the shot varies from yr to yr. Preliminary CDC information launched Thursday present the flu shot decreased the danger of hospitalization by 64% to 78% for vaccinated youngsters and 41% to 55% for vaccinated adults.
Well being officers stress it isn’t too late to roll up your sleeve.
“If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet, get it because we’re still seeing high flu circulation in most of the country,” Dr. Sean O’Leary of the American Academy of Pediatrics urged.
The rising concern about flu issues comes amid uncertainty over subsequent yr’s flu vaccine.
The Trump administration canceled a March 13 assembly the place specialists have been supposed to assist select which flu strains to focus on in subsequent season shot.
“We have historically worked really hard to get transparency around all of these vaccine discussions,” O’Leary mentioned.
Extra info:
Amara Fazal et al, Stories of Encephalopathy Amongst Youngsters with Influenza-Related Mortality — United States, 2010–11 Via 2024–25 Influenza Seasons, MMWR. Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (2025). DOI: 10.15585/mmwr.mm7406a3
The Mayo Clinic has extra on flu pictures for youths.
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Extreme flu season raises issues about mind issues in youngsters (2025, February 28)
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