A mother of two in the US has died suddenly from a “one-in-a-million flu case”.
Price Meropol McMahon, 36, of Wellesley, Massachusetts, said her family had no known health issues and had actually run nearly 8 miles in the days before her death as part of her preparations for her first-ever Boston Marathon.
McMahon, who is remembered as a family woman and a successful athlete, started with a fever on December 19 and was hospitalized the next morning as she struggled to breathe.
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She died in hospital on December 20, leaving her family to mourn just days before Christmas.
McMahon’s eldest brother, Ian Meropol, told the Boston Globe he will always remember the doctor’s words: “This is a one in a million case of influenza.”
The exact strain of flu McMahon suffered from and the complications she had has not been made public.
Her family said she has no underlying health problems and is incredibly active. She enjoyed skiing and tennis, and although next year’s Boston marathon would be her first, she had previously completed the New York City marathon in less than four hours.
“She was always incredibly smart, hardworking, driven, she was the one everyone knew would be successful,” her brother said.
McMahon is survived by her husband, Jimmy, of nine, and their children, Rosie, seven, and James, five.
The family set up GoFundMe to help them cope with an “unexpected” loss. By Saturday she had raised AU$240,000.
“Price was a devoted friend, loving daughter, sister and aunt, but absolutely nothing compared to the love she had for her husband Jimmy and their children Rosie and James,” the fundraiser description reads.
In her final days, McMahon, an executive at American Express and Burberry, celebrated Hanukkah with her family and cheered Argentina on in the World Cup final.
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Rising cases of influenza
Influenza (flu) is a highly contagious disease and is usually prevented by vaccination and treated by treating symptoms.
The flu is transmitted through body fluids from infected people, and symptoms include fever, body aches, a runny nose, and sore throat.
“Influenza can affect anyone, but is particularly serious for babies, young children, pregnant women, people with pre-existing conditions and the elderly,” says Australia’s health agency.
“The flu is caused by the influenza virus. There are many different tribes and they can change every year.”
Australia had its worst May on record for flu cases in 2022, leading experts to warn the season would redefine what it means to be prepared for the virus.
Countries that are currently in the middle of winter, such as England, Canada and the United States, are currently grappling with increased cases of influenza, including increased hospitalizations in many areas.
Chief Medical Officer Professor Paul Kelly told the ABC earlier this month that “we’re going to learn a lot from the northern hemisphere winter.”
Kelly said other countries have seen increases in cases of COVID, flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
Australia has also seen an increase in these three diseases during our winter, he said, and we will be monitoring data from other countries on vaccinations and times since previous vaccinations.
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7news.com.au/news/world/mum-of-two-with-no-known-health-issues-dies-suddenly-from-a-one-in-a-million-case-of-influenza-c-9315391 Mother of two with no known health problems dies suddenly from ‘one-in-a-million case of influenza’
