Second Washington state child dies of flu-related complications

TACOMA, Wash. (AP) — A Pierce County child under the age of five died from flu-related complications.

That’s according to the Tacoma Pierce Health Department.

Doctors say it’s the same strain of virus that led to the death of a child in King County last week.

The Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department noted the child who died there also suffered from underlying health conditions.

Nigel Turner, division director for the Communicable Disease Control Division, says current flu strains have hit the young very hard.