Flu kills three children in Minnesota

This year's flu virus proves particularly deadly for children. File photo of UPI / Alexis C. Glenn.

One of the dominant strains of flu this season has already proven to be particularly troublesome. This week, officials confirmed that a total of three children in Minnesota have now died as a result of the strain of influenza H3.

In the wake of the death, public health officials and doctors are warning the public to remain vigilant - and warning health care providers that things could continue to worsen.

"We have about seven children currently in our intensive care unit receiving treatment for complications related to influenza virus, and we could even set a record for the number of cases in December," Patsy Stinchfield, director of prevention and infection control, told local ABC affiliate KSTP.

This particular strain of the flu virus can travel in the blood circulation and infect the brain, causing meningitis-like symptoms that can in some cases be fatal. When infect the lungs, the virus can also trigger an overreaction of the immune system of those infected - flooding the chest with white blood cells and cause life-threatening complications.

The strain of this year is not entirely new, H3 strains appear after a few years; they proved to be particularly dangerous for children and the elderly in the past.

"The dominant strain appears to be H3, which in previous seasons meant that there were more hospitalizations, more deaths and disease in general," Karen Martin, a medical epidemiologist with the state, said, the Star Tribune.

Health officials are still encouraging everyone who is old enough and healthy for a vaccine against influenza. Although the vaccine this year is not a match to the dominant strain, those who get the vaccine will still be better protected than those who do not. They will also be less likely to pass along the flu, whatever the strain.