CDC: Flu has reached epidemic levels, 15 child deaths so far

Flu season can pose a dangerous threat to kids.

Fifteen child deaths from the flu have been reported so far this year from nine states, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Four were reported during the week of Dec.15, according to spokesman Jason McDonald.

The states include Arizona (1), Colorado (1), Florida (2), Minnesota (2), North Carolina (2), Nevada (1), Ohio (2), Texas (3) and Virginia (1).

"At this time, all of CDC's influenza surveillance systems are showing elevated flu activity, indicating that we are in the midst of this season's flu epidemic," said Erin Burns of the CDC.

Flu season occurs during the colder months of the year and typically peaks between December and February, according to the CDC.

"It's concerning because we are talking about the flu, which is a vaccine preventable disease, so any death of a child due to flu is concerning," said Michael Jhung, medical officer for the CDC, "But it is not unexpected. We unfortunately hear about flu deaths every year."

Last year around this time there had been four child deaths and in 2012 that number reached 16, he added.

Last season, 109 influenza-associated pediatric deaths were reported to the CDC, McDonald said in a statement. A pediatric death means a person who lives in the U.S. and is younger than 18.

"Of the 106 deaths in which the child's medical history was known, 54% occurred in children who had underlying medical conditions that placed them at high risk of developing serious flu-associated complications. However, 46% had no recognized underlying health problems," according to the statement.

The CDC recommends that the best way to keep kids safe against seasonal flu is to have them receive a seasonal flu vaccine each year. They can begin to get vaccinated at six months of age.

For people with flu symptoms, Tamiflu or Relenza can reduce length of illness by about one day and reduce the risk of hospitalization.

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