Officials with the Iowa Department of Public Health are reporting the first death of a child in the state in association with the H1N1 virus. The victim, a resident of eastern Iowa who died during October, had factors that increased the risk of complications from the flu.

“Surveillance is showing a stead increase in pediatric illness and hospitalizations,” said Dr. Patricia Quinlisk, medical director for the state agency. “This death is a somber reminder of the importance of protecting Iowa’s children from this flu.”

The child’s death is the overall sixth in the state that has been attributed to the H1N1 virus.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, all children, especially those 5-years-old or younger, and those with chronic medical conditions, are at increased risk for complications and death from influenza. Even children who are otherwise healthy can have complications and severe or fatal outcomes after influenza infection.

All children greater than 6 months of age; and the caregivers and those living with children less than six months of age, should receive seasonal influenza vaccine and be among the priority target group for the 2009 H1N1 vaccine.

Symptoms of H1N1 are similar to seasonal influenza and include: fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills, and fatigue. A significant number of people with H1N1 have also reported diarrhea and vomiting.

In children, urgent warning signs indicating the need for urgent medical attention include:

  • Fast breathing or trouble breathing
  • Bluish or gray skin color
  • Not drinking enough fluids
  • Severe or persistent vomiting
  • Not waking up or not interacting with people and things around them
  • Being so irritable that the child does not want to be held
  • Flu-like symptoms improve, but then return with fever and worse cough

More information about the virus is available on the IDPH Web site or through the Influenza Hotline, 1-800-447-1985.