Two Kentucky children die from flu. Officials warn of worst flu season in 15 years
Two children in Kentucky died recently of the flu, bringing the state’s total deaths to three this flu season, according to the Kentucky Cabinet for Health and Family Services.
The new deaths were reported in the Barren River District and Jefferson County, according to the cabinet. The first death was reported in early February.
No other information about the most recent deaths was released.
“We are committed to doing all that we can to protect the health and safety of those in Kentucky,” Dr. Steven Stack, Commissioner of the Department for Public Health, said in a press release. “It is important that we take the necessary precautions, such as staying up to date on vaccinations, washing hands regularly with soap and water, covering coughs and sneezes and staying home when sick, to protect ourselves and our loved ones from the harm that viruses such as influenza and COVID-19 can cause.”
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone older than 6 months get a flu and COVID-19 vaccine. The cabinet said vaccines can be given anytime during the respiratory virus season, which extends through April.
You can find the nearest place offering vaccines at vaccines.gov.
The CDC has described this respiratory virus season as the worst in 15 years, according to the cabinet. There are two co-dominant strands of flu spreading in the community, and unvaccinated people who have already had the flu this season are still vulnerable to other strands.
“We share this information not to scare folks, but to let them know that illnesses like the flu and COVID-19 can become serious,” Dr. Stack said in the release. “Fortunately, there are precautions people can take to decrease the risk of serious illness. Vaccines are safe and effective at lowering one’s risk of infection, hospitalization and death.”
This story was originally published March 11, 2025 at 10:23 AM.
