The H1N1 virus is being blamed for the sudden and shocking death of a healthy six-year-old girl from the Toronto region.
On the evening of June 14, Rubjit Thindal developed a fever and a stomach ache that appeared to be mild, family members say.
In fact, the symptoms seemed so mild that the Grade 1 student didn't even cry after getting the illness.
"From where she got the flu, we don't know so ... it's a big shock for us," aunt Narinder Shergill told 麻豆影视 from her home in Brampton, Ont.
But less than a day after first showing her symptoms, Rubjit was dead.
Despite the sudden death, Rubjit's family took all the normal precautions. The morning after the girl first complained about symptoms, she was taken a walk-in clinic where she was prescribed Advil.
Later that day, her fever seemed to subside, but Rubjit still complained of a stomach ache, so her parents decided to take her to the hospital.
But she wouldn't make it - strapped in safely in the backseat of the car next to her father, Rubjit passed away.
"Dad was holding her and mom was driving her, and just maybe two minutes away from the hospital," she died, aunt Varinder Shergill said.
According to doctors at the Georgetown Hospital near Toronto, Rubjit tested positive for the H1N1 flu virus.
It's not clear what role the virus played in her death, but it's believed that Rubjit is Canada's youngest H1N1 victim so far.
Most H1N1 deaths in Canada have occurred in the elderly or in people with pre-existing health problems, and Rubjit's death is sparking fresh questions about the potency of the virus.
Infectious disease specialist Dr. Low said it's rare for the virus to fatally strike a healthy young child.
"They are a rare occurrence, but we're looking into that to see if we can understand why this child had such sudden death," he said.
As officials probe the death, the girl's family mourns her passing.
On Wednesday, Narinder Shergill described her niece's last moments.
"She just touched her heart and said 'something is hurting.' And after a few moments, she was no more."
With a report from CTV's Lisa LaFlamme
