As this year’S Severe Flu Season Rages Across the Country, Federal Health Officials are Investigating A Rise in Rare but Life-Threating Brain Complications in Children.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Says at Least 19,000 people have died from the flu so far this winter, Including 86 Children.

New Data Show That Nine of These Child Deaths Involved Serious Brain Complications Tied to the Flu, The CDC REPORTED FEB. 27 in it’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report ,Mmwr,

The condition, Known as influenza -ssociated encephalopathy or encephalitis (IAE), is a rare type of brain inflammation triggered by the flu.

In Severe Cases, Children Can Develop Acute Necrotizing Encephalopathy (ANE), A Danger Form of Brain Damage Linked to VIRAL Infections like Flu.

While IAE is Rare, The CDC’s Preliminary Data for the 2024–25 Flu Season Link 13% of Child Flu Deaths to these brain complications.

Among 1,840 Pediatric Flu Deaths Reported to the CDC Since 2010, 166 Children (9%) Had these Brain Complications.

In some past seasons, the percentage was lower (4% in 2013–14 and 0% in 2020–21 when flu dropped to a historyic low during the covid pandemic). In other seasons, it was as high as 14% (2011–12 season).

One Challenge for Public Health Experts, The Associated Press Reported, is that there’s no official system to track IAE or Ane Cases in the US. This makes it hard to know this year’s numbers are higher than usual.

The cdc has been asked state health departments to report any additional cases this season.

It is encouraging hospitals to test for flu in child

So far this season, four of the nine child with flu-linked brain complications had the most severe type (ANE). All was under age 5.

Two of these children had received their flu flu shoots, and two had not.

ALL Four Required Mechanical Ventulation Mmwr,

Doctors and hospitals have previously warned to watch for symptoms

“Progression to Severe Neurologist Impairment and Death from IAE can Occur rapidly after onset of influenza symptoms,” The report read. “Thus, Prompt Recognition and Intervention Are Crucial, Including Neurocritical Supportive Care for Patients with Increased Intracranial Pressure and Management of MANAGEMENT OF MULTIORGAN FAILURE.”

Despite the Severe Flu Season, only about 45% of Americans have received their flu shoots so far.

While not great at blocking infections, the vaccine’s main role “is to keep you out of the hospital and to keep you alive,” Vanderbilt University Vaccine Expert Dr. William Schaffner Told The Associate Press.

Effectiveness of the shot varies from year to year. Preliminary CDC data releases

Health Officials Stress it’s not too late to roll up your sleep.

“If you haven’t Gotten your flu shot, get it trust Sean O’Leary of the American Academy of Pediatrics Urged.

The Growing Concerts about Flu Complications Comes AMID Uncertaini Over Next Year’s Flu vaccine.

The Trump Administration canceled a March 13 meeting where experts were supposed to help choose which flu strains to target in next season shot.

“We have historically worked really hard to get transparency Around all of these vaccine discussions,” O’Elery said.

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