Tragedy as teenager dies after contracting the FLU as cases of the virus soar in Australia

A teenage girl from the Central Coast has died after contracting influenza.

The Year 9 student attended St Joseph’s Catholic College in East Gosford and passed away on the weekend after falling ill with the disease several weeks ago. 

Parents with children at the school received a letter informing them of the girl’s tragic death, according to the ABC. 

‘(She) was a well-loved student, thoughtful to the needs of others, a true friend and a valued member of our college community,’ the letter read. 

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant has urged parents to get their chidlren vaccinated against flu

Influenza cases have been surging across the Central Coast and NSW over the past month, particularly among children. 

Those aged 16 and under represent 54 per cent of all emergency department admissions for influenza-like illness over the last week, with NSW Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant labelling the spike ‘concerning’.

‘In recent weeks we have seen influenza cases rising fastest among very young children as well as those aged five to 16 years, with these two age groups often accounting for around half of all flu cases diagnosed in NSW each week,’ said Dr Chant.

‘Sadly, our children’s hospitals are seeing an increasing number of these children being admitted for care and some of these patients are seriously unwell.

Dr Chant urged parents to get their children vaccinated against flu to reduce the risk of them being hospitalised. 

Since May, 16 children have been admitted to intensive care with life-threatening complications from influenza at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and John Hunter Hospital. 

Doctors say these can include serious heart, brain, and muscle-related complications. 

Counselling has been offered to those affected by the teenager’s death.