A teenage school student has died after contracting influenza on the New South Wales Central Coast.
A Central Coast Local Health District spokesperson confirmed the death of a local student in the region with influenza B.
“We offer our sincere condolences to the student’s family and friends at this difficult time,” a spokesperson said.
The teenager was a student at St Joseph’s Catholic College in East Gosford, the school was contacted for comment.
It comes as flu cases have surged in NSW, particularly among children.
Chief Health Officer Dr Kerry Chant warned last week there had been a 30 per cent increase in children admitted to hospital with the virus.
Children aged under 16 years made up around half of all emergency hospital presentations for influenza-like illness, and over a third of all influenza-like illness hospital admissions in the past week.
Chant said the numbers are “concerning” and said parents of children aged five to 16 should book their child in for a flu vaccine these school holidays.
