Bay Port student dies from complications caused by flu and strep B

HOWARD, Wis. (WBAY) – A pupil at Bay Port Excessive College has died from issues attributable to a mix of influenza A and strep B.

In keeping with the Howard-Suamico College District, Ava Schmidt died on Wednesday. She was a freshman at Bay Port Excessive College.

The district despatched the next letter to the college neighborhood:

“Expensive households and HSSD workers,

It’s with deep unhappiness that we share with you the information of the passing of a pupil at Bay Port Excessive College.

Ava Schmidt, a freshman pupil at Bay Port Excessive College, died right this moment, Wednesday, December 21, resulting from issues from influenza A. Ava is the daughter of Mike and Katerina Schmidt and sister of Gabby, a seventh grader at Bay View Center College. Katerina is a trainer at Forest Glen Main College.

The District respects the household’s request for confidentiality throughout this troublesome time and is concentrated on supporting these affected by Ava’s passing.

College counselors and college social staff can be found to assist our college students and workers address this loss. To satisfy pupil wants, we could have workers accessible in Bay Port or by telephone at 920-662-7000 Thursday morning (whatever the potential affect of climate on the college day). Lecturers in Bay Port, Bay View and Forest Glen will share an age-appropriate message with college students on Thursday morning relating to the information. We encourage you to debate this message together with your baby at dwelling tonight.

Now we have some options (linked right here) that may be useful when discussing grief and dying together with your baby. As well as, Unity Hospice is a non-profit bereavement counseling group that can be supporting Ava’s classmates and our college students as wanted within the coming days, together with throughout winter break.

You probably have any considerations about your kid’s response to this loss, please contact us.

Our ideas and prayers are with Ava’s household.

A GoFundMe has been arrange for Ava’s household.

Ava was the second pediatric flu affected person to die in Wisconsin this season.

DHS introduced the primary pediatric flu dying earlier this week. They stated the kid lived within the western a part of Wisconsin.

A pediatric dying is outlined as anybody below the age of 18.

DHS encourages anybody six months and older to get a flu shot. Early information reveals that the vaccine matches present strains. Vaccines can forestall or scale back the severity of flu signs, defending not solely your self, but in addition these round you, and that is of specific concern with increasingly vacation gatherings to come back. Two out of three folks in Wisconsin haven’t been vaccinated towards the flu.

“These numbers are a number of share factors decrease than what we had final 12 months, and that is very disappointing to be trustworthy with you. And that is yet one more one in every of our conferences, going by way of the media, that basically insists on the truth that we have to get folks vaccinated. We have to do what we are able to to cease the unfold of the flu. And now we have sadly seen what issues can result in due to this specific case, on this specific baby” , stated DHS flu surveillance coordinator Tom Haupt.

You could find flu vaccine info by calling 877-947-2211 or visiting https://www.vaccines.gov/ web site.

Native well being officers say folks must also attempt to keep away from the unfold of COVID-19 and RSV.

All three illnesses may be critical for younger youngsters, immunocompromised folks, and the aged.

CLICK HERE for Wisconsin respiratory virus studies.

The DHS recommends these extra steps to remain wholesome this season:

• Wash your arms typically with cleaning soap and water for 20 seconds.
• Keep away from touching your nostril, eyes and mouth.
• Keep dwelling and away from others if you happen to really feel sick.
• Keep away from being round different people who find themselves sick or have flu signs.
• Cowl your nostril and mouth when coughing or sneezing and encourage youngsters to do the identical.
• Put on a top quality masks round others to forestall the unfold of respiratory diseases.

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