Wisconsin records 1st child flu death of season

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Health officials say Wisconsin has recorded its first flu-related child death of the season.

The Milwaukee Journal Sentinel (http://bit.ly/1Fq4KGr) reports the 12-year-old Milwaukee girl died on Jan. 1. Although the Milwaukee Health Department would not disclose the age, gender or date of the death, the newspaper reports the information was obtained through the Milwaukee County medical examiner's office.

Milwaukee Health Commissioner Bevan K. Baker urged all residents to reduce the spread of flu and to protect those most vulnerable, including infants and young children, the elderly, pregnant women and people with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes and chronic lung disease.

Tom Haupt, influenza surveillance coordinator for the state Department of Health Services, says Wisconsin averages about two pediatric flu fatalities each season.

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Information from: Milwaukee Journal Sentinel, http://www.jsonline.com