Influenza and RSV cases are surging across the state to levels many times higher than typical for this time of year. 

Now Arizona has seen its first pediatric flu death of the season.

Pinal County Public Health Services District has confirmed that a young child has died due to influenza.

Arizona’s third most populous county has seen more than 170 lab-confirmed flu cases, compared to more than 4,500 across the state.

The flu’s early, strong start is already exerting pressure on hospitals and emergency departments.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends everyone 6 months and older get vaccinated as soon as possible; the immune system requires two weeks to build up defenses against the flu.

Those to get sick despite vaccination will still lower their risks of hospitalization and death.