A Michigan Department of Health and Human Services news release says the reported deaths involve children in Wayne and Genesee counties who contracted seasonal Influenza A (H1N1).
Nationally, there have been at least 57 influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported this flu season. The MDHHS says unfortunately, several other Michigan pediatric influenza deaths are currently under investigation.
Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, chief medical executive, says quote, “We are heartbroken for the families who have experienced this loss,” she adds, “Last season, influenza claimed the lives of nearly 200 children across the United States.
Influenza rates are currently very high, and if you did not receive a flu vaccine last fall, it is not too late to get one” end quote.
Outpatient visits for influenza-like illness are the highest they have been in Michigan over the last 15 years, that’s according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data.
Since the start of this influenza season, nearly 10,000 flu-related hospitalizations have been reported in Michigan and influenza hospitalizations have increased each week since Saturday, Nov. 30. More information can be found at michigan.gov/covidflursv.
