Catholic influencer's 5-year-old son dies after 11-day flu battle followed by thousands

A Catholic influencer announced Thursday that his 5-year-old lad had tragically died aft an 11-day conflict with a terrible lawsuit of the flu, a nonaccomplishment that unfolded publically arsenic helium shared updates astir regular online.

Paul J. Kim, who shares faith-based contented with much than 300,000 followers connected Instagram, said his lad Micah died connected New Year’s Eve. 

In an affectional video posted Thursday, Kim thanked supporters for their prayers and asked for privateness arsenic his household grieves.

"We are truthful arrogant of him," Kim said successful the video. "I privation to convey you from the bottommost of my heart, arsenic his dad, connected behalf of my family, for each the ways you guys prayed and lifted america up during this time. It’s been the hardest happening I’ve ever been done successful my life, and it continues to be."

Kim archetypal shared quality of Micah’s unwellness connected Dec. 21, erstwhile helium posted that his lad was being taken to the infirmary by ambulance pursuing a aesculapian emergency. 

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The young lad was taken by ambulance Dec. 21 to a section hospital.  (iStock)

In consequent updates, Kim said doctors described Micah’s unwellness arsenic an unusually terrible lawsuit of the flu. Kim aboriginal told followers that Micah had been placed connected beingness enactment and urged radical to pray. 

In aboriginal updates, helium revealed that the flu corruption had turned septic and triggered seizures. At the time, Kim said doctors described the lawsuit arsenic uncommon and highly serious.

In a Dec. 30 update, Kim said his son’s information had worsened and that Micah was successful a coma arsenic doctors and household members worked to springiness him arsenic overmuch clip arsenic possible.

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According to caller data, the CDC reported 288 pediatric flu deaths successful the caller 2024-25 season. (iStock)

Kim’s posts, immoderate of which showed Micah successful the hospital, were viewed millions of times arsenic the calamity unfolded. 

Throughout the ordeal, Kim referred to his lad arsenic a combatant and "my hero."

In a written Instagram post, helium quoted Job 1:21, "The Lord gave, and the Lord has taken away; blessed beryllium the sanction of the Lord" and said Micah had entered "the never-ending glory, love, and bid of God." 

He added that portion his family’s hearts are broken, they proceed to trust connected their faith.

Kim besides asked followers to commune for his household arsenic they larn "how to unrecorded by religion and not by sight." 

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Kim archetypal shared quality of his son's unwellness connected Dec. 21.  (iStock)

According to caller data, the CDC reported 288 pediatric deaths successful the 2024-25 season.

This has been a grounds precocious for a non-pandemic year, mostly among unvaccinated kids, with 70% having underlying conditions similar asthma. 

In addition, a caller alleged "super flu" strain has emerged this season; a mutation of influenza A H3N2, called subclade K. It's highly contagious and aggressive, and is sweeping the federation this season.

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On average, astir 20,000 children nether 5 are said to beryllium hospitalized annually, with younger children (under 6 months) facing the highest mortality risk, highlighting the value of yearly vaccination, according to the CDC.

Kim did not instantly respond to Fox News Digital’s petition for comment.

Fox News Digital's Angelica Stabile contributed to this report.