Central Coast teenage girl dies after catching influenza B

A teenage girl has died after contracting the influenza B virus, days after health officials urged parents to ensure their children get the flu shot.

A teenager from the NSW Central Coast has died after contracting the influenza B virus.

In a statement, a spokeswoman from the Central Coast Local Health District confirmed the recent death of the school girl from influenza.

“We offer our sincere condolences to the student’s family and friends at this difficult time,” the spokeswoman said.

The ABC reported parents at St Joseph’s Catholic College in East Gosford were informed of the Year 9 girl’s death.

In a letter to families at the school, the girl was remembered as “a well-loved student, thoughtful to the needs of others, a true friend and a valued member of our college community”.

The teenager was a student in Year 9 at St Joseph's Catholic College East Gosford, ABC has reported. Picture: Google

The shock death comes amid a 37 per cent increase in emergency department (ED) presentations with influenza-like illness and a 30 per cent increase in admissions to hospital in the week to July 2, compared to the previous week.

Children under 16 years represented around half (54 per cent) of all ED presentations for influenza-like illness, and more than a third (around 40 per cent) of all influenza-like illness hospital admissions in the past week.

The death comes just days after NSW chief health officer Kerry Chant urged the state’s parents to use the school holidays to get their kids immunised.

“[Influenza B] tends to be associated with a greater impact on school-aged children,” Dr Chant told reporters last week.

“My key message to you is please get your children vaccinated ahead of the return to school.

The death comes just says after the NSW chief health officer urged parents to use the school holidays to get their kids vaccinated.

“We generally see infections settle down over school holiday periods but we often see an uptick once school resumes.“

NSW Health says those at high risk may also be eligible for antiviral medications, such as oseltamivir (marketed as Tamiflu).

“Antiviral medicines may reduce severe illness, hospitalisation and death from flu if taken early in the illness,” reads information on the NSW Health website.

“It is important to contact your doctor as soon as possible to determine if you are able to take antiviral medicines. To be most effective, antivirals should be taken within 48 hours of when symptoms start.”

Originally published as Central Coast teenage girl dies after catching influenza B