ST. PAUL (AP) - The Minnesota Department of Health says the state has seen the first flu-related death of a child this flu season.

An update issued Thursday by the Department of Health said the agency has recorded a pediatric flu-related death. The department reported 10 pediatric flu-related deaths last year.

Department epidemiologist Karen Martin says this year's dominant strain tends to more frequently affect younger and older people.

The department update said the flu is still considered "widespread," which is a designation used when at least half of Minnesota's reporting districts report outbreaks.

Martin says the state is having a "fairly mild season."

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