BOSTON (AP) — Boston health officials say a child has died after being diagnosed with the flu, but it's not confirmed if that was the cause of death.
Boston Public Health Commission director Barbara Ferrer tells The Boston Globe (http://bo.st/UcmMS6) the child was under six years old, and it's not certain if there were other complications that contributed to the death. She said five adults over age 65 have died in the city this season.
Boston has declared a public health emergency in response to the harsh flu season and is giving free flu vaccinations at community health centers over the weekend. Ferrer has said there have been about 700 confirmed cases, with likely thousands more.
State health officials have reported about 6,000 laboratory-confirmed cases in Massachusetts and 18 flu-related deaths, all in adults.
