Abdelrahman
A 9-year-old girl from North Carolina has tragically passed away due to complications related to the flu, coinciding with what experts are calling one of the most severe flu seasons the United States has faced in 15 years.
Madeline Vernon, hailing from Randolph County, was diagnosed with influenza on January 25. Her health rapidly declined over the following days, culminating in a staggering fever of 104.9 degrees when she woke up on January 28.
Her parents, Mary Edging and Jimmy Vernon, swiftly took Madeline to urgent care, where she was connected to a ventilator to assist with her breathing. Sadly, the young girl succumbed to her illness the very next day.
“I feel as though my heart has been torn apart. I’ve lost a piece of myself,” her grief-stricken mother shared with WRAL.
Fondly known as “Maddie” by those close to her, friends and family described her as a “fun-loving and energetic child” on a GoFundMe page created by a friend to support her family in their time of need.
“When Maddie would wrap her arms around you for one of her famous hugs, you could genuinely feel the love,” the campaign read. “She was an active and healthy child who had a passion for soccer and volleyball at the local recreation center.”
Madeline’s family expressed their deep sorrow, stating they did everything possible to save her. “It just wasn’t enough,” her father reflected, adding, “But God wanted his angel back, and we can’t be upset about that.”
He further praised Maddie, stating, “She was extraordinary. Anyone who met her, even for just a brief moment, couldn’t help but fall in love with her. She had that effect on everyone.”
This flu season has taken a significant toll across the nation, reporting over 13,000 deaths, 310,000 hospitalizations, and an alarming 24 million cases of influenza. Data indicates that the southern, midwestern, and northeastern states have been hit the hardest, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In light of these events, healthcare professionals are urging families to vaccinate against the flu to safeguard against the illness, following the unfortunate deaths of two other children in North Carolina this season.
Dr. Zack Moore, state epidemiologist at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services, expressed heartfelt condolences to the affected families, emphasizing, “This serves as a somber reminder of the seriousness of seasonal influenza, which can, in some cases, be fatal. If you or your loved ones have not had the flu vaccine this season, please consider getting vaccinated for your family’s protection.”
Dr. Jason Newland, chief of infectious diseases at Nationwide Children’s Hospital, highlighted additional concerns: “What concerns us greatly are the bacterial infections that can arise alongside influenza, often making children incredibly ill. Influenza and its complications can indeed lead to death in children. It is essential to take this illness seriously.”
In related news, Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has been appointed secretary of the federal Department of Health and Human Services. Some critics are wary, citing Kennedy’s contentious views on vaccines as potentially harmful for public health.
