CDC reports rise in severe flu cases among children leading to deaths
Source: www.nbcnews.com Key Points: Pediatric flu cases are rising, causing 280 deaths. Most affected children (84%) were unvaccinated. CDC urges annual flu shots for kids six months and older. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a significant rise in severe pediatric flu complications among children during the 2024-25 flu season. Officials said 109 children were diagnosed with acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE) and other influenza-associated encephalopathies, rare but dangerous conditions that cause brain inflammation. This increase comes as the nation recorded 280 pediatric flu deaths last year, the highest since the 2009-10 H1N1 pandemic. The CDC data highlights both the seriousness of influenza and the need for preventive measures. Link to vaccination rates The report showed that 84% of children who developed influenza-associated encephalopathy were not vaccinated. Medical experts stressed that while the flu vaccine does not guarantee compl...