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Health officials: Child with flu dies in Boston

BOSTON (MyFoxBoston.com) – Health officials in Boston say a child under the age of six had the flu when they died earlier this week.

Officials said they could not say that the cause of the child's death was the flu until further tests are completed.

The age, sex and identity of the child were not released.

Health officials have said five adults over age 65 have died in the city this flu 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. Officials have 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.