Child dies from flu in San Mateo County, health officials say

San Mateo County public health officials on Wednesday reported the death of an adolescent from the influenza virus.

The death occurred last month involving a child who had not received this year's flu shot, and county officials said they did not know if there were underlying health conditions in the case. It is the second flu-related death in San Mateo County this season.

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The county encouraged everyone ages 6 months or older to get the flu vaccine every year, saying it reduces the risk of serious illness, hospitalization or death.

"We are deeply saddened by the loss of a young person in our community to influenza," San Mateo County health officer Dr. Kismet Baldwin-Santana said in a news release. "There are steps people can take to protect themselves and those around them, including getting vaccinated, staying home when sick and practicing preventative measures."

There were 18 influenza-related deaths in San Mateo County of people under 65 in the 2024-25 flu season and nine the year before that. More information about the county's response to respiratory diseases like the flu can be found at https://www.smchealth.org/respiratory-diseases.