2nd Pediatric Flu Death Confirmed

The Minnesota Health Department confirmed the second influenza-related death of a child during this flu season. Spokeswoman Kristen Ehresmann said the 5-year old Twin Cities girl had gotten a flu shot but not until she was already ill. A 12-year child died earlier this year. That Twin Cities girl had not gotten a flu shot and had an underlying chronic medical condition. Ehresmann said the department has no evidence that flu strains this year are unusually virulent or that they pose an unusual risk for children. As of March 1st, 32 children in the nation have died from flu complications.