U.S. Sees Most Child Flu Deaths Since 2009

MONDAY, May 5, 2025 (HealthDay News) —  More U.S. children have died from the flu this season than in any year since the 2009 swine flu pandemic, according to a new federal report.

So far, 216 pediatric deaths have been reported to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). That’s already more than the 207 reported last year, and experts expect the final count to be higher.

“This number that we have now is almost certainly an undercount, and one that — when the season is declared over, and they compile all the data — it’s almost certain to go up,” Dr. Sean O’Leary of the American Academy of Pediatrics, told The Associated Press.