Littlestown, Pa. - The state Department of Health confirmed today that a 5-year-old Adams County boy died on October 31 of complications from swine flu.

Kyree Gamble is the first child with swine flu to die in Pennsylvania. In early October, he contracted H1N1 and had trouble breathing. He spent weeks on a heart and lung machine at Penn State Hershey Medical Center.

A family friend said Kyree had a combination of swine flu, pneumonia and MRSA. 

His mother's co-worker, Megan Shreve, remembers him as mommy's little helper.

"He would want to life the biggest box, the heaviest thing," Shreve said. "He wouldn't carry one chair, he'd carry two. He was really quick to help and he was really quick to make friends with people."

Shreve said Kyree's mother was hopeful after his condition appeared to be improving. The news of his death, she said, was devastating.

"It was horrible," Shreve said. "I mean he's such a great kid, such a wonderful little guy."

Kyree attended kindergarten at Rolling Acres Elementary. Superintendent Donald Wills said a grief counselor spent the day in his classroom.

Local pediatrician Dr. Scott Jaeger said the parents of many of Kyree's classmates called his office in a panic. He said it's important to remind parents that the vast majority of children can fight the flu without complications.

"There's no doubt that the flu is something you don't want to have, but it's also something that overwhelmingly your child is likely to get through OK."

Dr. Jaeger said he would urge parents to seek medical attention if a child's condition gets better and then becomes drastically worse.  He would also worry, he said, if the child has an earache, shortness of breath, or a worsening cough.

"Most of the kids are getting through this very well," Dr. Jaeger said.

Shreve said Kyree was a healthy kid who did not have any pre-exisisting conditions that would make him vulnerable to the flu.

"He wasn't in any of the categories you would expect," Shreve said.  "He was so healthy ... it's tragic."

Kyree's family is asking that contributions be made in Kyree's name to the Ronald McDonald House, where Kyree's mother stayed for three weeks while he was hospitalized.

Shreve said she is also accepting donations to cover the cost of Kyree's funeral.  Donations can be made to the South Central Community Action Programs at 153 North Stratton Street, Gettysburg 17325.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommend that all people aged 6 months to 24 years receive the H1N1 vaccine as soon as it's available.

 

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