Community Corner

New Rochelle Boy Dies of the Flu

This is the first reported pediatric death caused by the flu in Westchester County.

A 4-year-old New Rochelle boy is dead after contracting the flu, the first influenza-associated pediatric death in Westchester this year.

The Westchester County Department of Health confirmed the death on Tuesday.

The boy had not received the flu vaccine and had been previously healthy. He became ill in November and had been hospitalized until he died at the end of last week of bacterial pneumonia, which can be a complication of flu. No further identifying information will be released due to patient confidentiality.

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The Westchester County Health Department is urging all residents over 6 months of age to get a flu shot.

"Any death is tragic, especially in one so young,'' said Dr. Cheryl Archbald, acting commissioner of health. "The best protection we have against influenza is the annual flu shot, which is recommended for individuals six months of age and older." 

Find out what's happening in Ryewith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Go to flu.gov to get more information and to find where you can get a flu shot. Many drugstores—like  and —also are offering the shots.


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