Fresno County health officials confirm 1-year-old flu and RSV deaths

FRESNO, Calif. (KFSN) -- Respiratory diseases have now claimed the lives of two children in Fresno County.

"One passed away due to flu, and one passed away due to the RSV virus," Fresno County Department of Health's Leticia Berber said.

Berber confirms the two pediatric deaths are the first in Fresno County this season.

"These children got sick late in the season, but still, they were eligible for both vaccines," she said.

The girl who died from the flu was 13 months old. She had flu Type A, a more harmful virus, and was not vaccinated.

The boy who died of RSV was 17 months old. Officials do not yet know his vaccination status.

Their deaths are putting officials on alert.

"Seeing this case, it does worry us," Berber said. "It's concerning for us because people can still get vaccinated. It's not too late to get vaccinated."

The flu and RSV vaccinations are widely considered safe.

The CDC recommends the flu shot for almost everybody older than six months, and many expecting moms are eligible for the RSV vaccine to protect their infants.

"The vaccine is not just to protect you but your family members, especially children under five years of age," Berber said.

Despite respiratory illnesses declining nationwide and warming temperatures here in the Valley, many children are still sharing indoor spaces and remain at risk of infection.

"The RSV virus and influenza virus are very contagious this time of year," Berber said. "During winter, we're indoors, and we don't really go outside like we do in the summer and the spring."

Berber is now telling parents of infants to be on the lookout for symptoms.

"If they're coughing, sneezing, or they seem lethargic, or their little lips turn purple, rush them to the ER as soon as possible because that could be an indication they can't breathe," she said.

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