DENVER -- A 15-year-old has become Colorado's first flu death of the season, 7NEWS reported Friday.

Video

Children's Hospital Takes Flu Precautions

The unidentified teen died at Children's Hospital, but no further information was released because of government confidentiality records, the station said.

About 36,000 people die and 114,000 are hospitalized because of influenza each year, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. More than 90 percent of the deaths are among people 65 and older.

In Colorado, 19 people died of influenza in 2002 and 729 died of pneumonia, a frequent complication of the flu. Childhood deaths from the flu number fewer than five in Colorado since 1995.

Children's Hospital announced Friday that it was placing restrictions on hospital visits in order to protect the health of the patients, in light of the growing flu epidemic.

Colorado Flu Hotline: (877) 462-2911 Find Flu Clinic: (888) 692-0269 SLIDESHOW:Tips For Fighting Flu At Work QUIZ:Flu Shots: True Or False? Why It Takes So Little To Catch Flu School Reacts To Student's Flu Death How Flu Killed An 8-Year-Old Boy Doctors: Don't Use Common Remedy On Flu Doctors Race To Slow Flu Spread FAQs Prevention Protect Kids Flu Shots Chicken Soup? Did You Get The Flu? Immunize Colorado: Find Flu Clinic Colo. Flu Surveillance Cold Or Flu? CDC Flu Site

The hospital was asking parents not to bring children 12 years or younger, unless they are patients. It was also limiting visitors to two visitors per patient.

The hospital said it had treated more than 500 patients who have tested positive for Influenza A.

Flu Closes Jeffco Outdoor Lab Early

Sixth-grade students from West Jefferson Middle School who were attending the Windy Peak Outdoor Lab were sent home early Friday after a number of classmates and student leaders became sick with flu-like symptoms during the week-long class.

According to parents, about 20 students from the 150-member class had to leave the Outdoor Lab near Bailey, Colo., early. In addition, seven of the 17 high school leaders who were helping oversee the younger students had to leave early.

The Jefferson County School District would not permit a 7NEWS reporter and photographer on West Jeff school property to interview the returning students or their parents.

The Outdoor Lab is a week-long class experience in the Pike National Forest, where students sleep in cabins and spend a week learning about outdoor subjects.