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Unvaccinated 4-year-old dies of flu in Riverside County

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A 4-year-old is the first pediatric influenza-related death in Riverside County since the flu season began in October, officials announced Wednesday.

The child — whose identity, gender and city of residence are not being released — had not been vaccinated for the flu, according to the public health department of the Riverside University Health System. The child was from southwest Riverside County.

Officials did not disclose the date of death.

“Our condolences go out to the loved ones who have suffered such a great loss,” said Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County’s public health officer.

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In a news release, Kaiser called the tragedy a “reminder that the flu can still kill, and that children are particularly susceptible to the illness.”

Last year, nationwide, there were 80,000 flu deaths among people 64 and younger, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

anh.do@latimes.com

Twitter: @newsterrier

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