An 11-year-old boy from Alabama died from a severe case of flu before he could open his Christmas presents. Jace Watkins passed away on Saturday, December 27, after being diagnosed with the flu earlier in the month.
Jace was rushed to hospital in a critical condition on December 20 after suffering a seizure. He was placed on a ventilator, and doctors were uncertain about his brain activity. His aunt, Sabrina Parsons, said Jace had no underlying health conditions, though he was born prematurely and used inhalers years ago.
Parsons told local media: 'He was telling everybody he was fine, he felt fine. And then, I guess he started throwing up that night and had a seizure.' A GoFundMe campaign raised over $9,800 (£7,264) for his medical bills and funeral expenses.
Jace's school, Hueytown Intermediate School, paid tribute to him on Facebook, saying: 'Our hearts are broken this morning. Jace was a bright light to everyone who knew him. His sweet genuine smile will be missed by all.' A prayer vigil was held for Jace on December 23.
According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, around 28,000 flu deaths were recorded during the 2023-2024 season, with the majority occurring in older adults.
