The Mississippi State Department of Health confirmed the first pediatric flu death of the 2024-25 season on Friday, Jan. 24.

The department does not provided information about the age, gender or place where the patient died out of respect for the family and their privacy.

MSDH did note that the juvenile had not received a flu shot this year.

“Vaccination is the best protection against flu and the severe outcomes from flu infection,” State Epidemiologist Dr. Renia Dotson said. “All individuals 6 months of age and older are recommended to get an updated flu and COVID-19 vaccine this season.”

What is defined as a pediatric flu death?

According to the Mississippi State Department of Health news release: “A pediatric death is defined as the death of an individual under 18 years of age.”

How many children have died of the flu in Mississippi?

Twenty-seven kids, including this one, have died of the flu in Mississippi since the 2008-09 flu season.

More: First human bird flu death in the US reported. Here’s what Mississippi needs to know

What illnesses are spreading in my community?

According to a weekly report from the CDC, respiratory illness in Mississippi is still moderate overall.

Emergency department visits related to flu are high but decreasing and ER visits for COVID-19 and RSV are low.

How do I know if I have flu, cold, COVID or RSV?

Feeling cruddy but don’t know what the problem is? This might help.

The National Foundation for Infectious Diseases lists the following as main symptoms of each:

• Cold: Often comes with a sore throat but can regularly include aches and fatigue.
• Flu: Get ready for aches, fatigue and fever. A sore throat is possible.
• COVID: Main symptoms are having a hard time breathing, fatigue and sore throat. You also might have aches, fever and a loss of taste/smell.
• RSV: Wheezing is the main symptom. But difficulty breathing and fever are also possible.

Bird flu, stomach flu and influenza are all separate viruses.

Curious Mississippi Is it time to get the new COVID-19 booster?

Who can get the vaccine for flu, COVID, RSV?

Generally, the RSV vaccine can be given to babies who are younger than 19 months old, pregnant people and adults 60 and older.

The CDC recommends the COVID-19 vaccine and following booster shots for anyone older than six months.

It’s not too late to get a flu vaccine this year, but keep in mind it can take about two weeks before the necessarily antibodies are fully effective after the jab. There are specific flu shot doses based on a person’s age, and some people ages 2-49 can take the vaccine as a nasal spray. Check out CDC information or talk to your medical provider to learn the best options for you and your family.

The Mississippi Department of Health offers flu and COVID vaccines at county health departments. Call 855-767-0170 to learn more.

Bonnie Bolden is the Deep South Connect reporter for Mississippi with Gannett/USA Today. Email her at bbolden@gannett.com.