Five children reported dead amid rise of H3N2 'super' flu

Health officials reported five child deaths this season linked to influenza, and the CDC classifies flu activity as "very high" in 32 states with hospitalizations increasing compared with the prior week.

Five children have died this flu season, health officials announced, as a variant of H3N2 described in some reports as subclade K has been associated with more severe illness in children. Officials in Massachusetts said four children in the state have died, and the Illinois Department of Public Health reported one child death. The CDC's latest data show very high flu activity in many states and a rise in hospitalizations compared with the prior week. Reported details: - Four pediatric deaths were reported in Massachusetts and one child death was reported in Illinois this season. - The CDC classified flu activity as "very high" in 32 states and reported the hospitalization rate rose to 28 per 100,000, up from 18 per 100,000 the week before. - The dominant strain reported is an H3N2 subclade (referred to in coverage as subclade K), which clinicians have said is linked to higher fevers and more severe respiratory symptoms in some children. - The CDC estimated this season has included at least 11 million flu illnesses, about 120,000 hospitalizations and about 5,000 deaths overall. Summary: Officials reported multiple pediatric deaths while noting widespread and increased flu activity and rising hospitalizations. Undetermined at this time.