A child who contracted influenza has succumbed to the virus in Ontario, Global News reported Monday.
“We are saddened by this tragic death. Death is an infrequent outcome due to influenza infections,” said Dr Linna Lin, Acting Medical Officer of Health for the Leeds, Grenville and Lanark (LGL) District Health Unit in a statement to English-language media.
However, LGL Public Health did not specify the age of the child, nor indicate whether he had pre-existing conditions that made him more vulnerable to the virus. However, she mentioned that the flu is the most circulating respiratory virus in the region, while there are more cases than last year.
According to Dr. Lin, this is due to less flu circulation over the past two years due to the health measures put in place to limit the spread of COVID-19. “We are currently seeing more flu cases in the LGL region, and earlier in the year than during typical winter respiratory seasons,” she added.
Remember that vaccination for the seasonal flu is underway in Ontario, as in Quebec.