4-year-old girl is New Jersey's first flu-related death

A 4-year-old is New Jersey's first flu-related death of this season.  A State Health Department spokeswoman said the girl, who lived in the central part of the state, died in December.  She had not been vaccinated.  Her name and town were not released.

More than 4,000 flu cases have been confirmed in the state so far this season, with the most reported in Bergen County.  The state reports high flu activity across all regions of the state.  In the past week the state has seen a spike in the percent of emergency department admissions due to influenza-like illness.

The Summit Medial Group Urgent Care in Berkeley Heights has been so overwhelmed with cases that they were out of rapid results flu tests.  On Tuesday they posted a sign on the front door warning that they could not test for flu or flu related symptoms.

Doctors across the area are facing a shortage of high-speed flu tests because an FDA ruling a year ago pulled two of the most popular tests from the market because of the number of incorrect test results.

The New Jersey deputy health commissioner is holding a press availability on Wednesday to get her influenza vaccination to remind residents to get their own shot.  It was unclear why she was waiting this late into the flu season to get her own vaccination.

With the Associated Press