Thousand Oaks freshman dies from flu complications
THOUSAND OAKS, Calif. (KABC) -- A freshman student at a Thousand Oaks high school died from complications of the flu.
Parents and students at La Reina High School and Middle School received an email Thursday night with the news that 14-year-old Gabriella Chabot died.
RELATED: Doctors say 3 strains of influenza around during intense flu season
La Reina is a Catholic all-girls school. Officials said there were counselors on campus Friday.
The school said classes also operated on a normal schedule and there was a prayer vigil at 6 p.m. at the campus gym.
Gabriella's father, Michael Chabot, said his daughter was an amazing and beautiful girl who would have turned 15 on Feb. 16.
"Today I experienced the day that no parent should. I lost my daughter," he wrote on Facebook. "Papi will never forget you. You will always be my angel."
The school released a statement, saying Gabriella was a "bright, engaging and kind girl who will be deeply missed by her friends, faculty and staff."
RELATED: How to protect yourself from the flu
As of Tuesday, there have been 37 confirmed flu-related deaths this season, with most people being over the age of 65, according to Ventura County Health. It's been the deadliest flu season in the County since 2009.
A report released Friday by the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention stated that one out of every 13 visits to the doctor last week were because of flu-related symptoms.
