Flu Outbreak Claims Two More Young Victims

Officials Warn Flu Season Could Be Especially Bad

DENVER -- Two more Colorado children have died in an early flu outbreak, with officials warning it could be a sign that this year's flu season will be severe.

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The deaths of a 2-year-old and a 4-year-old bring the death toll in Colorado to five, with more than 6,300 confirmed flu cases statewide. Officials are investigating a sixth possible flu death in a 2-year-old. The state had a total of 2,681 confirmed flu cases last year.

Health officials have been warning this could be an especially bad flu season nationwide, with Colorado, Texas and Nevada being hit a month earlier than usual.

Texas has reported a few flu-related deaths involving children, which they see every year.

Dr. Ken Gershman, director Colorado's Department of Public Health and Environment's Communicable Disease Program, said the state sees an average of zero to two flu-related deaths in children each year.

"Last year, Colorado had 19 confirmed deaths of all ages from the flu and 748 deaths due to flu and pneumonia," Gershman said.

Previous Stories:

• December 2, 2003: Parents Worried About Flu Fill Doctors' Offices
• November 30, 2003: Severe Flu Outbreak Hits West, Midwest
• November 26, 2003: Four Children Die In Colorado Flu Outbreak
• November 17, 2003: Doctor Dispels Myths As Flu Season Begins

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