B.C. records six flu-related deaths in children: Dr. Bonnie Henry

British Columbia’s top doctor says there are six reports of influenza-related deaths among children and youth in the province during the respiratory illness season.

Dr. Bonnie Henry says early indications are some of the children experienced secondary bacterial infections that led to severe illness.

“It is important to know that death associated with influenza in previously healthy children continues to be rare. Public-health officials are monitoring the situation closely, and we urge everyone to do their part by taking steps to protect yourself, your children and loved ones against the flu,” she said in a statement.

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Henry says among the children who have died, one was under five years old, three were between five and nine, and two were adolescents between 15 and 19 years old.

“Death associated with influenza in previously healthy children is a tragic, but rare event and is especially rare in school-age children and teens,” the health officer said.

According to Henry, it is “an unusual season with unusual characteristics,” which has included an “intense” surge in cases.

“With this unusual pattern, enhanced surveillance has been implemented that includes reporting of pediatric influenza-related deaths to public-health officials. As the information is confirmed, updates on pediatric influenza-related deaths will be posted weekly as part of the respiratory surveillance summaries on the BCCDC website,” Henry said.

The latest figures mark a departure from the average two-to-three flu deaths recorded annually among children in the province between 2015 and 2019, data from the BC Coroners Service shows.

“Public health is monitoring the situation closely, and are reminding people of the steps they can take to protect themselves, their children and their loved ones against the flu,” the B.C. Centre for Disease Control said in a statement.

The deaths in British Columbia suggest figures could tick up across the country given the common challenges facing health systems this respiratory season. Alberta has also recorded the deaths of two children with influenza so far this season.

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Before the COVID-19 pandemic, an average of five-to-six kids died per flu season across Canada, data collected from 12 hospitals across the country shows.

The national data was collected between 2010 and 2019 by IMPACT, a national surveillance network administered by the Canadian Paediatric Association. It was included in a research paper published in March in “The Lancet Regional Health _ Americas” journal that also found no deaths from the flu among children in either 2020 or 2021.

The BC Coroners Service says its data is preliminary and subject to change while investigations are completed.

The cases include those where influenza was identified as an immediate, pre-existing or underlying cause of death, or as a significant condition.