FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Richard Hill
Senior Public Information Officer
Tarrant County Public Health
817-321-5306 direct
817-401-5967 cell
rwhill2@tarrantcounty.com
Dec. 5, 2019 (Tarrant County, TX) – Tarrant County Public Health has confirmed the first pediatric flu death of this season. This is the first reported pediatric flu death in Tarrant County since 2015. There have been three other pediatric flu deaths reported in Texas in the current season.
“Because of the sensitive nature of the information, we can’t share any other details, other than to say that the child had underlying health conditions,” said Tarrant County Public Health Director Vinny Taneja. “The patient tested positive for Influenza B which is circulating early and predominantly this season,” he said.
The graph below shows a sharp rise in flu activity this season, trending nearly a month ahead of the previous two years. “We want to remind everyone to get their flu shot,” Taneja said. “It’s definitely not too late, and the vaccine offers you the best protection against getting the flu.”
County Telephone Operator 817-884-1111
Tarrant County provides the information contained in this web site as a public service. Every effort is made to ensure that information provided is correct. However, in any case where legal reliance on information contained in these pages is required, the official records of Tarrant County should be consulted. Tarrant County is not responsible for the content of, nor endorses any site which has a link from the Tarrant County web site.
100 E. Weatherford, Fort Worth, Texas 76196
Copyright 2001-2025 Tarrant County, TX