Noosa girl Emma Schwab, 11, dies after catching influenza B

Thousands of dollars have been raised for the heartbroken family of a Noosa region schoolgirl who died after catching influenza B.

A GoFundMe for 11-year-old Noosa region girl Emma Schwab, who died after getting influenza B. Photo: GoFundMe

More than $8000 has been raised for the family of 11-year-old Emma Schwab following her shock death after contracting influenza B.

The Noosa region schoolgirl died on Thursday, July 6 in what health authorities described as “heartbreaking for everyone involved”.

Family friend Mel Horton started a GoFundMe page for the family on Monday which as of Wednesday night had raised more than $8700 towards its $10,000 goal.

The page states funds raised will help Emma’s parents Cameron and Javiera Schwab with covering her funeral costs.

“Emma tragically passed away on Thursday from influenza B,” it says.

“She was only 11 years old. Understandably the family is torn apart and any support would be greatly appreciated.”

It is understood she was taken to Sunshine Coast University Hospital in an ambulance and had sought private medical care previously.

It comes after it was reported earlier this week a teenage girl from the Central Coast in New South Wales had also died after catching the virus.

A Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health spokesperson offered their sincerest sympathies to her family.

“Their experience is heartbreaking for everyone involved,” they said.

“Our clinicians are providing support to the family.”

The spokesperson would not comment on the circumstances surrounding the girl’s death.

Queensland chief health officer Dr John Gerrard said influenza B had caused “severe illness” in healthy Queenslanders, particularly young people.

“We are very concerned about the increase in influenza B cases and the high rate of unvaccinated patients, particularly with school resuming this week,” he said.

Queensland Chief Health Officer Dr John Gerrard said influenza B had caused “severe illness” in usually healthy people. .Picture: Dan Peled / NCA NewsWire

“We experienced an influenza A wave leading into winter, but influenza B has taken over as the dominant strain in July.

“There have been three times more hospital admissions for influenza B than influenza A in children aged less than five years.”

He said influenza B was associated with causing more severe illness in children.

Most children would not have been exposed to influenza before due to Covid restrictions, he said.

Since July 1, 11 babies less than six months old were hospitalised with the flu, eight of which had the B strain, Dr Gerrard said.

Another 78 children between six months old and four-years-old were hospitalised with the flu, 50 of which had the B strain.

Only one of these older children were vaccinated.

“Queensland’s flu toll for 2023 stands at 47,300 case notifications, including 3,814 hospital admissions and 31 ICU admissions,” Dr Gerrard said.

“If you or your children have not been vaccinated against flu, I urge you to please book in with your GP or pharmacist to do so.”

To donate to the GoFundMe, search “Help Cam and Javi after the loss of Emma”.

A spokesperson for Ramsay Health Care, operators of Noosa Hospital, also expressed their deepest condolences to the family.

“We have been in contact with the family to offer our support during this extremely difficult time,” the spokesperson said.

“Noosa Hospital protects the privacy and confidentiality of our patients and therefore we cannot comment on the circumstances surrounding this case.”

Originally published as Noosa girl Emma Schwab, 11, dies after catching influenza B