Concerns Rise Over Severe Flu Season and Brain Complications in Children

The ongoing flu season has raised significant alarm among health officials as they investigate a troubling increase in severe brain complications affecting children. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported that this winter alone, at least 19,000 individuals have succumbed to the flu, with 86 of those fatalities being children.

Recent data indicates that nine of these pediatric deaths were associated with serious brain complications related to the influenza virus. The condition referred to as influenza-associated encephalopathy or encephalitis (IAE) is an uncommon but serious form of brain inflammation that can be triggered by the flu. In extreme cases, children may develop acute necrotizing encephalopathy (ANE), a severe brain injury that can arise from viral infections, including the flu.

While IAE remains rare, preliminary data from the CDC for the 2024-25 flu season suggests that 13% of child deaths attributed to the flu are linked to these brain complications. Over the past decade, of the 1,840 pediatric flu fatalities recorded, 166 cases (9%) have involved these serious brain issues. Historical data shows variability in these percentages across different flu seasons, with instances ranging from as low as 0% during the COVID-19 pandemic to as high as 14% in the 2011-12 flu season.

A significant challenge for public health authorities is the absence of a standardized system to track cases of IAE or ANE in the United States, complicating efforts to determine whether the current year's statistics are unusually high. In response, the CDC has urged state health departments to monitor and report any additional cases that arise this season.

The CDC is also encouraging hospitals to conduct flu tests in children exhibiting severe neurological symptoms and to relay those findings to local health departments. Notably, from the nine children identified with flu-related brain complications this season, four experienced the most severe form of encephalopathy (ANE), all of whom were under five years of age. This group included both vaccinated and unvaccinated children, with all requiring mechanical ventilation and some experiencing seizures during their hospitalizations.

Medical professionals have emphasized the need to remain vigilant for symptoms such as seizures or hallucinations in children suffering from influenza. The CDC underscores that rapid identification and treatment are essential, as progression to severe neurological impairment and potential death can occur swiftly following the onset of flu symptoms. Effective interventions may include neurocritical care for patients experiencing increased intracranial pressure and managing multi-organ failure.

Despite the severity of this flu season, only about 45% of the American population has received vaccinations against the flu thus far. Experts highlight that while the vaccine may not prevent all infections, its primary purpose is to reduce the risk of severe illness and hospitalization. Current CDC data indicates that the flu vaccine has decreased hospitalization rates by 64% to 78% for vaccinated children and 41% to 55% for vaccinated adults.

Health officials maintain that it is not too late for individuals to receive their flu shots. With ongoing high flu activity across much of the country, experts urge those who have yet to get vaccinated to do so promptly.

Amid these concerns regarding flu complications, uncertainty persists about the upcoming flu vaccine for the next season. A meeting scheduled for March 13, which aimed to determine the flu strains to be included in the next vaccination, was unexpectedly canceled by the Trump administration. This has raised concerns among health experts regarding transparency and decision-making in vaccine development.

For further information, the CDC and health organizations continue to provide resources and updates regarding influenza vaccinations and associated health risks.