Family ‘torn apart’ after second girl suddenly dies after catching flu as cases surge in Australia

A devastated family has been ‘torn apart’ after their 11-year-old daughter died of the flu, as warnings about the dangers of influenza B among young children mount this winter.

Emma Schwab, 11, from Noosa on Queensland’s Sunshine Coast, died last Thursday after contracting flu B.

a GoFundMe pagefounded by a friend of the girl’s parents to cover her funeral costs, it has raised nearly $9,000 to date.

Emma in the picture with her mother Javiera

“Emma tragically passed away on Thursday from Influenza B,” wrote GoFundMe organizer Mel Horton.

“She was only 11 years old. It’s understandable that the family is being torn apart.’

A spokesperson for the Sunshine Coast Hospital and Health, where Emma was being treated, offered “sincere condolences to the family at this extremely difficult time.”

“Their experience is heartbreaking for everyone involved,” they said.

“Our clinicians support the family.”

Emma’s death comes after a Central Coast teenage girl also died after contracting the B flu.

The Year 9 student attended St Joseph’s Catholic College in East Gosford and died over the weekend after falling ill with the disease several weeks ago.

Parents with children at the school have received a letter informing them of the girl’s tragic death, the ABC.

“(She) was a beloved student, attentive to the needs of others, a true friend and a valued member of our college community,” the letter read.

NSW Chief Health Officer Dr. Kerry Chant has urged parents to get their children vaccinated against the flu

A Central Coast teenage girl also died after contracting the flu. The Year 9 student attended St Joseph’s Catholic College in East Gosford (pictured) and died over the weekend after falling ill with the disease several weeks ago

Flu cases have surged across the Central Coast and NSW over the past month, especially among children.

Those 16 and under represent 54 percent of all emergency department admissions for flu-like illness in the past week, with NSW Chief Health Officer Dr. Kerry Chant labeled the spike as “concerning.”

“In recent weeks we have seen flu cases rise fastest in very young children and in children aged five to 16, with these two age groups often accounting for around half of all flu cases diagnosed in NSW each week,” said Dr. chant.

“Unfortunately, in our children’s hospitals, we are seeing more and more of these children being admitted for care and some of these patients are seriously unwell.

Dr. Chant urged parents to get their children vaccinated against the flu to reduce the risk of hospitalization.

Since May, 16 children have been admitted to intensive care with life-threatening complications from flu at Sydney Children’s Hospital, Randwick, The Children’s Hospital at Westmead and John Hunter Hospital.

Doctors say these could be serious heart, brain and muscle related complications.