Influenza claims life of infant in Stanislaus County

Stanislaus County health officials said an infant died from influenza complications Tuesday.

A news release Friday said the child was less than 1 year old and had underlying medical conditions. Officials did not release the child’s name or city of residence.

It was the region’s first flu-related death of the influenza season, which in Stanislaus County usually begins in late fall and can result in illness through March or April.

“The death of this infant is a tremendous loss and our condolences go out to the family,” Public Health Director Rebecca Nanyonjo said. As the county enters the flu season, she said, “it is important that residents receive the annual flu vaccine and take other preventative measures to reduce the spread of illness.”

While most people will get over flu symptoms in three to seven days, the disease is more likely to cause severe complications in children younger than 2 years old, pregnant women and seniors.

The common symptoms include body aches, fever, congestion, headaches and cough. Flu-related vomiting and diarrhea are more common in children than in adults, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Health officials recommend flu vaccinations for adults and children 6 months or older. Flu shots also are recommended for family members and caregivers of infants to prevent the spread of the disease to young, vulnerable children, the county news release said.

Other precautions to prevent the spread of influenza include hand-washing; not touching your eyes or nose; coughing into your sleeve; and staying home when sick.

The county Health Services Agency is holding community flu shot clinics through mid-December. The clinics are usually for low-income county residents and those without private health insurance.

The next clinics are set for:

▪ Sunday from 8 a.m. to noon at El Rematito Flea Market, at 3113 Crows Landing Road

▪ Thursday from 9 a.m. to noon at the Modesto WIC Office, 251 E. Hackett Road

The clinics ask for administrative fees of $10 for children and $27 for adults. No one is turned away for inability to pay, the news release said.

For more information in Stanislaus County, call the public health services flu hotline at 209-558-8872.

This story was originally published November 6, 2015 at 6:39 PM with the headline "Influenza claims life of infant in Stanislaus County."