Viral illness has killed 11 people in NC, including a child. And it’s not measles.
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Eleven North Carolinians have died from flu complications since October, including child.
- Flu activity spiked: 11% of ER visits and 1,446 hospital admissions last week.
- State officials urge vaccination and hospitals restrict visitors to curb spread.
Two more people died of complications of the flu in North Carolina last week, including the first child of the season, according to the state Department of Health and Human Services.
Respiratory illnesses are on the rise in the state, just before the holidays when travel and family gatherings are expected to spread the viruses that cause influenza and other illnesses.
Nearly 11% of emergency room visits in the state last week were for flu-like illnesses, the highest percentage since last March, according to DHHS. During that time, 1,446 people with respiratory illnesses were admitted to a hospital, also the highest since March.
State officials are urging people to get vaccinated for the flu, particularly those most vulnerable to the illness, including children under 5 and those with chronic health conditions such as asthma, diabetes or a weakened immune system.
“Flu is spreading quickly across North Carolina,” state epidemiologist Zack Moore said in a written statement. “The influenza vaccine remains the most important tool to prevent serious illness or death from flu. It’s not too late to protect yourself and your loved ones.”
Eleven North Carolinians have now died of complications of the flu since the season started in October, according to DHHS. Ten were age 50 and older, and seven were 65 or older.
The child who died last week was between the ages of 5 and 17 and lived in the western part of the state. DHHS did not release any additional information, including whether the child had underlying health conditions or had been vaccinated.
But the agency did say that of the 280 children who died from flu complications last season, about half did not have an underlying medical condition and 89% were not fully vaccinated.
To help prevent the spread of flu, hospitals typically restrict visitors during the winter months. WakeMed says starting Monday, Dec. 22, children under age 12 will not be allowed to visit patients, including in waiting rooms. Duke Health and UNC Health are expected to enact similar restrictions soon.
North Carolina is coming off one of the most severe flu seasons on record. Last season 542 people died of complications of the flu in the state, the most since the state began compiling flu death records in 2009.
This story was originally published December 18, 2025 at 10:01 AM with the headline "Viral illness has killed 11 people in NC, including a child. And it’s not measles.."
