An infant’s death has prompted the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention to post a flu advisory.

Maine CDC stated in the advisory that the infant tested positive for the influenza B Victoria variant. This was the only pediatric death reported for the 2023-2024 flu season in Maine. 

“Influenza illness is more dangerous than the common cold for children,” Maine CDC stated in its advisory.

Although flu season runs from early October to mid-May, Maine CDC officials are reminding Mainers to get vaccinated, wash your hands and to stay home when sick.

The advisory states: “Each year, millions of children get sick with seasonal influenza; thousands of children are hospitalized, and some children die from influenza. Children commonly need medical care because of influenza, especially children younger than 5 years old. Among reported influenza-related deaths in children nationally, about 80% occurred in children who were not fully vaccinated. About half of influenza-related deaths occur in children with no underlying medical conditions.”