Aggressive Influenza Season Strikes The U.S.

By Elena Limauro

An aggressive influenza season has raised concerns for families across the country, after an otherwise healthy 16-year-old girl in Ohio died from flu complications in late December.

Ryleigh Spurlock first started getting symptoms on Dec. 23, 2025, and died just five days later on Dec. 28. According to reports, Spurlock’s condition rapidly worsened as she started to experience severe complications, including sepsis and double pneumonia. Due to this, her heart later stopped, and CPR was administered for 50 minutes before she was pronounced brain dead. 

In the aftermath, her family has urged others to get vaccinated, as Spurlock had not received a flu shot this season. They hope that her story will help raise awareness of influenza complications and that it will convince others to get vaccinated. While experts have stated that this flu season is no worse than previous years, they have noted that more people have gotten sick this season, due to the virus mutating more than usual.

Spurlock was described as a completely healthy teenager, and though deaths from the flu are most common in those under two years old and those over 65, Spurlock’s death shows that anyone is susceptible. This should raise concerns for everyone to be more cautious of illnesses, even those more common, like the flu, which many believe is not to be taken as seriously. Flu season runs from October to May, and experts say that it is never too late to receive the vaccine if you have not already.