'Heartbreaking': Child, 11, dies from flu in Queensland

A child has died from the flu in Queensland.

A Sunshine Coast Health spokesman confirmed the "heartbreaking" death of the 11-year-old after catching influenza.

"We would like to extend our sincere sympathies to the family during this extremely difficult time," the spokesman said.

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Sunshine Coast University Hospital.

It is believed the child died at Sunshine Coast University Hospital.

It is the second death of a young person from flu to be confirmed this week.

A teenage school student died after contracting influenza on the New South Wales Central Coast

A Central Coast Local Health District spokesperson confirmed the death of a local student in the region with influenza B.

Last week, doctors called for parents to get their children vaccinated against flu after a spike in the number of youngsters being taken to hospital with flu-like illnesses.

In the week before, there was a 37 per cent increase in NSW emergency department presentations with influenza-like illness in the state, the health department said.

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