Boardman boy died of flu in January

YOUNGSTOWN — Influenza B caused the Jan. 12 death of 4-year-old Hunter S. Ewert of Boardman.

Hunter’s death brings to four the total of confirmed influenza-associated pediatric mortalities reported in Ohio, the first in Mahoning County, as reported to the Ohio Department of Health this flu season through Feb. 6.

Hunter was pronounced dead at 7:30 a.m. at Akron Children’s Hospital Mahoning Valley in Boardman after being found unresponsive in his bed at 6:30 a.m. by his parents, Shannon and Brian Ewert. Mrs. Ewert, a student nurse, performed CPR on her son until paramedics arrived.

Tissue specimens from an autopsy Jan. 14 by Dr. Joseph Ohr, Mahoning County deputy coroner and forensic pathologist, were sent to the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control in Atlanta to confirm that the flu was the cause of Hunter’s death.

Today, Dr. Ohr said the CDC found evidence of Influenza B virus in Hunter’s body by way of DNA analysis.

For the complete story, read Saturday's Vindicator and Vindy.com