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 boy had tragically died aft an 11-day conflict pinch a severe lawsuit of nan flu, a nonaccomplishment that unfolded publically arsenic he shared updates almost regular online.

Paul J. Kim, who shares faith-based contented pinch much than 300,000 followers on Instagram, said his boy 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 family grieves.

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

Kim first shared news of Micah’s unwellness connected Dec. 21, erstwhile he posted that his boy was being taken to nan infirmary by ambulance pursuing a aesculapian emergency. 

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The young boy 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 nan flu. Kim later told followers that Micah had been placed connected life support and urged group to pray. 

In later updates, he revealed that nan flu infection had turned septic and triggered seizures. At nan time, Kim said doctors described nan lawsuit arsenic rare 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 family members worked to springiness him arsenic overmuch clip arsenic possible.

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

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

Throughout nan ordeal, Kim referred to his boy arsenic a combatant and "my hero."

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

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

Kim besides asked followers to believe for his family arsenic they study "how to unrecorded by religion and not by sight." 

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Kim first shared news of his son's unwellness connected Dec. 21.  (iStock)

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

This has been a grounds precocious for a non-pandemic year, mostly among unvaccinated kids, pinch 70% having underlying conditions for illustration 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 nan federation this season.

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On average, astir 20,000 children nether 5 are said to beryllium hospitalized annually, pinch younger children (under 6 months) facing nan highest mortality risk, highlighting nan 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.