Flu Deaths in Children
Flu-associated deaths in children (defined as persons aged 18 years and younger) first became a nationally notifiable condition during the 2004-05 flu season and are reported through the National Notifiable Diseases Surveillance System (NNDSS). The number of flu-associated deaths among children reported during the 2007-08 flu season can be found at http://www.cdc.gov/flu/weekly/fluactivity.htm.
How many children have died from flu-associated complications during previous flu seasons?
During the 2003-04 season, 153 flu-associated deaths in children were reported to CDC. (This data was collected by CDC.)
During the 2004-05 season, 47 deaths in children were reported to CDC. (This is the first year that influenza mortality in children became a nationally reportable condition.)
During the 2005-06 season, 46 deaths in children were reported to CDC.
During the 2006-07 season, 76 deaths in children were reported to CDC.
As of June 14, 2008, 83 deaths in children occurring during the 2007-08 season have been reported to CDC.
(Note: The counts above are of flu-associated deaths among children according to the flu season the deaths occur, not when they are reported to CDC.)