DENVER -- Three more Colorado children have died from influenza and the Colorado Department of Health said Tuesday that it rates the current flu outbreak at "widespread," the highest level possible.

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An 8-year-old Larimer County child attended elementary school Friday and did not appear ill but the child was brought to an emergency room Monday and died a short time later, health officials said Tuesday. An autopsy confirmed the child died from respiratory failure with influenza type A infection.

According to health officials, the child's illness was not typical of influenza symptoms, which are usually respiratory in nature with coughing and fever, and generally not what people often call the "stomach flu." The child's symptoms included nausea and abdominal pain.

Parents of children who attend the Larimer County elementary school were notified by the principal about the student's death. There is no current flu outbreak in the school and no unusual numbers of students had been absent, health officials said.

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A 2-year-old child, adopted from China just four months ago, also died this week from the flu, 7NEWS reported. The child was identified as Rylee Xinru Sparks.

The death of a 21-month-old toddler was also reported Tuesday by Children's Hospital.

Last week, a 15-year-old child died from the flu at Children's Hospital.

Colorado has set a modern-day record for the number of flu cases confirmed in the past five days. More than 3,399 people were reported with the virus as of Tuesday, according to the Larimer County Department of Health and Environment. The State Health Department said official numbers won't be released until Wednesday.

Officials said they haven't seen an explosion of flu like this in the five years the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment has kept reliable statistics.

The more than 3,300 cases reported to the health department are just a fraction of those who actually have the flu. Most aren't counted because they don't see a doctor, officials added.

Last year at this time, there were less than 15 flu cases in the entire state.

"It's crazy," said Denver pediatrician Dean Prina, who saw 40 children Monday. "It started earlier this year and seems more intense. It's among the worst flu seasons I've seen in my 23 years."

The stateside school absentee rate was 7 percent last week, worse than the highest rate of a year ago.

The East Grand School District, which includes Granby, Grand and Fraser said it was canceling school Wedneday because so many students are out sick with the flu, whooping cough and strep throat.

Flu Symptoms

Influenza is a respiratory illness that affects the lungs and respiratory system. The most common symptoms of the flu include:

Fever, usually 102 degrees Fahrenheit, but can go up to 104 degrees Fahrenheit and usually lasts three to four days;

Headache, sudden onset and can be severe;

Sore throat;

Muscle aches, often severe;

Coughing, which can become severe;

Tiredness and weakness, which can last two or more weeks;

Sneezing;

Runny nose

Young children may also have nausea and vomiting.

Information about flu is available on the Colorado information toll-free hotline at (877) 462-2911 Trained information specialists are available to answer questions in English and Spanish.