Eva Marie Harris Little American girl who died from the flu virus Country: USA

Biography of Eva Marie Harris

A Tragic Loss to the Flu
Eva Marie Harris, a six-year-old girl from Ohio, tragically lost her life to a strain of the flu virus that had also claimed the lives of four other children in New York. While millions of children across the United States contract the flu each year, fatal cases are rare. However, Eva Marie Harris became one of those who succumbed to this infectious disease. Her heart stopped beating on February 10, 2017, in Rocky River, Ohio.

An Unusual Diagnosis
Initially, Harris was diagnosed with a strain of the flu virus known as group B influenza, after being admitted to the Cleveland Clinic on February 7, 2016. However, her immune system's reaction to the virus led to a rare immune condition that attacked her brain. She developed a severe form of acute disseminated encephalomyelitis (ADEM). While there are many viruses that can trigger ADEM, the disease usually does not appear when only one infectious agent is involved, making Harris' case highly unusual.

A Rapid Deterioration
Harris' condition quickly worsened, and she had to be placed on life support, receive heart support through an IV, and be put on a ventilator to help her breathe. Her family issued a statement expressing their gratitude for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support for their beloved daughter.

Clarifying the Disease
Dr. Maz Viestizer, a pediatric neurologist, explained that acute disseminated encephalomyelitis causes the body to attack itself. He emphasized that modern flu vaccines have no connection to ADEM and that they are designed to protect against diseases that can provoke serious brain inflammation. The New York State Department of Health reported four fatal flu cases among children in January 2017, but no information about their vaccination status was disclosed.

Flu Activity and Vaccines
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), high flu activity was observed in New York, New Jersey, and Pennsylvania during the last week of the reporting period. Dr. William Schaffner, an infectious disease specialist, pointed out that the deaths of unvaccinated children from the flu each year are not unusual. Flu vaccine strains change annually, and the vaccines protect against the most prevalent strains expected in the upcoming flu season.

It is estimated that between 157 and 168 million doses of injectable flu vaccine will be available for the 2016-2017 season. This season will also be the first since 2013 that the nasal spray flu vaccine will not be available due to new data questioning its effectiveness.