A nine-year-old schoolgirl from India met with a tragic death on Tuesday after suffering from flu-related complications for over a week.

Ameena Annum Sharaf, a Grade 4 student at GEMS Our Own Indian School in Al Quoz, Dubai, passed away at Al Jalila Children's Speciality Hospital in Al Jadaff at 6pm on Tuesday. The little girl's funeral was held at the Al Quoz Cemetery, and Ameena is survived by parents and three sisters.

Sources close to Ameena's family said they could not believe this could happen to someone this cheerful and active. "Her family was under the impression that the flu would keep her home for a few days, but it took her life. The family is beside themselves with grief," a family friend told Khaleej Times.

Ameena, a resident of Karama, was showing signs of flu starting October 20. "Her parents took her to the neighbourhood clinic, where she was getting treatment for two days," explained the source. After she returned from the clinic near her home, she went back to school.

"A few days later, she began vomiting and her parents took her back to the same clinic. To the parent's shock, her condition had worsened and the infection had spread to her vital organs - kidneys, heart, and brain," the source added. Ameena was immediately referred to Al Jalila Children's Specialty Hospital, where she was placed on a ventilator for about a week before her death. 

Virus caused severe heart failure

According to a statement issued by Al Jalila Children's Speciality Hospital, Ameena initially showed symptoms of typical flu with fever, but later on, was referred to Al Jalila Children's on October 24 as a case of severe heart failure that might have been caused by a virus.

The statement said: "We consider this as a rare and unique case due to an abnormal response of the child's immune system that eventually caused her heart to become very weak and led to her very sad demise."  Hospital authorities have given their sincere and wholehearted condolences to the child's family. The statement added: "In general, we advise all parents to keep their children at home if they develop any fever and subsequently consult with a paediatrician if the fever persists for more than 48 hours."

'She will be missed'

Ameena's close family friends, the hospital and school authorities have expressed their heartfelt condolences with the family. A GEMS Education spokesperson said: "Ameena was an extremely bright, talented and cheerful student, loved by her friends and teachers. We deeply mourn the loss."

After Ameena's untimely death, a statement was issued by GEMS Education, which stated that a health advisory had been issued to parents, requesting them not the send their children to school if they are sick.

"We recommend them to consult the doctors and to take all necessary precautions. The wellness of our students is of paramount importance to us," said a GEMS Education spokesperson, adding that "Our counsellors are in touch with Ameena's classmates, and we will extend all support to them."

Flu-related deaths

Flu-related deaths are not entirely uncommon and are a major issue across the globe. According to 2018 statistics made available on the World Health Organisation (WHO) website, every year, influenza (the virus that causes flu symptoms) annual epidemics are estimated to result in about 3 to 5 million cases of severe illness, and about 290,000 to 650,000 respiratory deaths across the globe.

The report added: "The effects of seasonal influenza epidemics in developing countries are not fully known, but research estimates that 99 per cent of deaths in children under five years of age with influenza-related lower respiratory tract infections are found in developing countries."

Warning signs: How do you know if the flu is deadly?

Dr Gurukanth Neeleshwar Rao, specialist internal medicine at Aster Clinic Bur Dubai, said: "Flu presents itself with symptoms of fever, cough, body ache, sore throat and a runny nose. It is caused by a virus called Influenza virus."

He added: "Influenza virus is of two types - type A and type B. Flu is a self-limiting disease and no medicines are required, except for paracetamol to control fever. Most people recover within one to two weeks."

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