News stories about young children are always shocking, especially to parents. And it is true that children under 5 are at greater risk of flu complications. After the initial round of H1N1, there were not many reports of many child deaths and the CDC was reporting that the largest population affected by this swine flu was actually those from 5 to 24 years of age. Of the 90 pediatric deaths from flu reported, as of July 25, 2009, 23 were related to the H1N1 virus. The number of deaths related to the H1N1 virus is increasing, however.
Now that the flu season has started, more deaths are being reported as the illness is more widespread. In the last week (ending Sept. 26, 2009) 11 pediatric deaths were reported and all were related to the H1N1 virus infection. Year-to-date figures as of the same week indicate 128 pediatric deaths. (There were 88 pediatric deaths in the 2007-2008 flu season.)
For more information about illness and death statistics and the most up-to-date figures, visit the CDC's Weekly Influenza Summary Update.