Today the Mississippi State Department of Health (MSDH) confirmed the third pediatric death due to influenza (flu) illness in 2008. Pediatric deaths are defined as deaths of individuals under age 18. The death occurred in Lee County.

Additionally, the MSDH has now added pediatric influenza deaths to its list of reportable diseases.

"The decision to add pediatric flu deaths to our reportable disease list was made to aid the Health Department in its surveillance of children's health," said State Health Officer Dr. Ed Thompson. "The national Council of State and Territorial Epidemiologists and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommended in 2004 that all states make pediatric influenza reportable to the states' disease surveillance systems, and almost all states did so. When we discovered last week that Mississippi had not, we immediately added it to our regulations."

According to the CDC, approximately five to 20 percent of the population will contract the flu each year and about 36,000 Americans will die from the flu. The flu vaccine usually prevents the flu in 70 to 90 percent of healthy persons, and lessens the severity of illness in those people who receive the vaccine and contract the flu later.

The best protection against influenza remains the influenza vaccine, especially for those in high-risk categories, and the MSDH urges those who have not had a flu vaccination this season to get one now. January through March is peak season for flu activity in Mississippi. The CDC has a number of flu virus specimens that have been submitted so far this year, and has found that two of the three strains used to make the vaccine do not perfectly match some of the strains that are currently circulating. However, as there is likely some cross protection, and as one of the strains circulating is well matched to the vaccine, the vaccine is still recommended.

High-risk categories include children ages six to 59 months of age (i.e., six months - four years), adults over 65, and individuals living with chronic illness. In addition, those who live with or take care of people who fall in one of these categories should also receive the flu vaccine.

Symptoms of the flu include fever, headache, fatigue, cough, sore throat and congestion. Persons who are ill should be brought to their healthcare provider at the first sign of flu-like illness. If begun within the first 48 hours of illness, treatment can reduce its symptoms and duration.

All persons should practice health etiquette to avoid spreading illness. This includes frequent hand washing, covering coughs and sneezes, and staying home and away from well people when ill.

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Press Contact: Liz Sharlot, Carol Jones or Elizabeth Grey, (601) 576-7667.