Three children dead in Ottawa, Eastern Ontario region after flu-related complications

Three children have died from influenza-related complications in the Ottawa and Eastern Ontario regions in the first two weeks of December, regional medical officers of health said Monday.

The medical officers for the two health units said in a statement the deaths of the children, between the ages of 5 and 9, are a “stark reminder” that flu can lead to severe illness and complications that require hospital care.

“With much of the respiratory illness season still ahead, we anticipate this will continue to be a challenging flu season,” their statement said.