San Diego County reported two pediatric deaths linked to influenza as the 2026 flu season arrived early; the children were a previously healthy 11-year-old and a 6‑month‑old with complex medical conditions.

Those deaths are among 11 flu-related deaths and 516 hospitalizations the county has reported this season; at the same point last year the county recorded two deaths and 86 hospitalizations.

The county's weekly Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report shows a sharp increase in positive influenza tests, particularly among children ages 5 to 17, indicating the virus is spreading rapidly in that age group.

"As a father myself, hearing about the deaths of two children is especially difficult and underscores the importance of prevention," said County Public Health Officer Sayone Thihalolipavan, MD, MPH.

"Every day in our hospital, we see how swiftly severe infections can progress in children. Our entire care team is heartbroken by the loss of these two young lives," said Pia Pannaraj, MD, MPH, infectious disease specialist at Rady Children’s Hospital San Diego.

Health officials recommend flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older; because it takes about two weeks to build immunity after vaccination, they encourage people to get vaccinated as soon as possible, especially those with underlying health conditions.

Flu vaccines are widely available at retail pharmacies, urgent care centers, hospitals and health clinics; county public health clinics offer vaccinations for people without insurance, and appointments can be scheduled at My Turn.

To reduce spread, the county recommends washing hands often, using hand sanitizer when soap and water aren’t available, avoiding close contact with people who are sick, not touching your eyes, nose or mouth, cleaning frequently touched surfaces, staying home when sick and considering wearing a mask if you have symptoms or are around others who are ill. The county published the report Oct. 29, 2026 and made the Respiratory Virus Surveillance Report available online as a downloadable PDF.

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County of San Diego

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