A Manitoba child has died of influenza, the province's latest report on respiratory viruses says.

A child in the five- to 17-year-old age group&nbsp;died during the reporting period from Nov. 27 to Dec. 3, 

The province said specifics about the case are not being provided for privacy reasons and out of respect for the family.

"Manitoba Health emphasizes that influenza deaths among young children are rare. Vaccinations continue to be the best defence again respiratory disease," a spokesperson said in an email.

Only about 12 per cent of children who are 17 and younger have received a flu vaccine this year, the report says.

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There have been 12 deaths from the flu this year,&nbsp;the majority of them older than&nbsp;65. 

Five of those deaths were reported in the latest respiratory virus report by the province.&nbsp;

A total of 171&nbsp;people have been hospitalized with the flu to date and&nbsp;six patients were admitted to&nbsp;intensive care.

However, the case counts for that weekly period were lower than expected because Manitoba Health is dealing with documentation delays due to the influx of influenza cases. Updated numbers are expected on Friday.

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The number of respiratory syncytial virus cases in Manitoba reported in the past week was nearly twice the number recorded the week before, while an influx of influenza lab tests led to a delay in documenting those cases, the province's latest respiratory virus surveillance report says.

Damien Dancy puts masks on his children Damaya, 3, left, and Damien, 7, on Wednesday at  Sentara Princess Anne Hospital in Virginia Beach, Va. Some U.S. hospitals are turning away visitors or making them wear masks.

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Manitoba Health says children under the age of five accounted for 12 per cent of all influenza cases and 20 per cent of hospital admissions for the latest reporting week.

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Seven Manitobans have died from influenza this year, as the virus continues to circulate through the province at a higher level than normal for this time of year, according to Manitoba Health.

A doctor examines a patient with a stethoscope.

A doctor examines a patient with a stethoscope in her doctor's office in Stuttgart, Germany, Monday, April 28, 2008. 

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Visits to health-care professionals for flu-like symptoms are higher than normal for this time of year, says Manitoba Health.

A child receives a flu vaccine. Manitoba Health says vaccines are the best line of defence against viruses like influenza.

A child has died of influenza in Manitoba, latest report says

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