A six-year-old Jerusalem boy who died this week from an exceptionally rare flu complication has saved four lives through organ donation
Ariel Hakakian, described by doctors as previously healthy and fully vaccinated against the flu, was brought to Shaare Zedek Medical Center in critical condition after developing fever and cough only days earlier. His condition deteriorated with unusual speed.
“He tested positive for the flu, arrived almost dead, and suffered a very rapid deterioration,” Shaare Zedek said in a statement. “He suffered from a complication resulting from the flu. This is a super rare case — the boy was vaccinated.”
Despite prolonged resuscitation and intensive care, Ariel was pronounced dead shortly after arrival. His death marks the second pediatric fatality from flu in Israel this year, following the death of a 10-year-old girl reported several days ago.