Officials Investigate Cause of Child's Death

Health officials are investigating to determine if the death Saturday evening of a three-year-old child from the Colchester County area is associated with influenza.

"The death of a child is always difficult, and I offer my sympathy to the family," said Dr. Jeff Scott, chief medical officer of health for Nova Scotia. "We also understand that this will cause concern for other parents. However, initial investigation indicates no increased health risk to the community or the general public."

A sibling is currently recovering in the IWK Health Centre from what is described as a respiratory illness.

Due to the presence of influenza in the community and a history of flu symptoms among family members, the provincial chief medical officer of health and the medical examiner are collaborating to investigate. Laboratory test results are expected over the next few weeks.

"It is rare for an otherwise healthy child to get severely ill with influenza," said Dr. Scott. "Healthy children normally recover completely from the illness."

Many children get the flu every year, with up to 25 per cent of children affected in a severe season. However, deaths due to influenza are still rare in children. While the IWK has seen continuous flu activity in this earlier than usual influenza season, the number of admissions to the intensive care unit is similar to the number in past years.

The Health Department continues to fund and recommend vaccination of adults and children in high-risk groups, including people over age 65, and adults and children with chronic illnesses such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and cancer. This is based on national recommendations by the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI). High-risk children under the age of nine who have not previously been vaccinated will require two shots, one month apart.