The Minnesota Department of Health is alerting parents about a rare but serious complication linked to the flu. They’ve confirmed a recent case of influenza-associated acute necrotizing encephalopathy in a child under two years old in the Twin Cities area.
This condition, while extremely uncommon, can cause significant brain swelling following an influenza infection. It’s marked by high fevers, changes in consciousness, and seizures, which can sometimes lead to coma or even death.
Melissa McMahon, a health expert at MDH, highlighted that this condition is truly rare. “I haven’t seen it in Minnesota in at least the last decade,” she stated.
Dr. Archelle Georgiou, a health expert, explained the unpredictability of the flu’s effects. While many recover quickly, some may experience severe complications. “It can be very severe. It’s fatal around half the time. And about half of the children who do survive end up with long-term issues,” she noted.
Fortunately, the Minnesota child is recovering, but similar stories can have devastating outcomes. In Ohio, a father shared his pain after his four-year-old daughter, Locklynn, suffered major brain damage from the flu. Brad Boler expressed his heartbreak, saying, “Every day, I wake up to the nightmare.” He explained that Locklynn now requires a ventilator and has a long road ahead for recovery.
“I used to think of the flu as just a mild illness. But it can take your child from you in an instant,” Boler warned.
In Minnesota, flu hospitalizations are finally decreasing after experiencing one of the worst flu seasons since tracking began in 2008. The latest MDH report revealed 6,881 total hospitalizations this season and 294 deaths, which includes one pediatric death.
McMahon pointed out that with a significant number of flu cases, rare complications are more likely to occur. To protect against flu, Dr. Georgiou emphasized the importance of vaccinations for both children and adults. “That’s the only thing we know that can potentially prevent it,” she said.
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Alex Jokich,Flu,Health,Minnesota Department of Health
