Michigan's 1st Pediatric Flu-Related Death Reported

LANSING, MI – A Michigan child's death has been attributed to influenza, reported the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday. It is the first flu-related death in the state this flu season, according to a report by the Associated Press.

In its latest Influenza Surveillance Report from Feb. 2, the MDHHS reported that there were 53 pediatric influenza deaths nationwide. That report indicated that there had been no pediatric deaths in Michigan.

The Associated Press report from Wednesday afternoon indicates the child who died was from the state's Upper Peninsula. It does not indicate the child's age, sex or hometown.

MDHHS officials encourage everyone over the age of six months to get a flu vaccine.

"It is not too late to get vaccinated," said Dr. Eden Wells, Chief Medical Executive for MDHHS. "The vaccine is your best defense against the flu and will help reduce the severity of symptoms if you catch the flu despite being vaccinated. And remember, if you or your child is sick, stay home to help protect others."

Across Michigan, there have been a total of 675 – 50 pediatric and 625 adult – influenza-related hospitalizations reported for the 2017-2018 flu season, according to the MDHHS.

Influenza is widespread across the nation. Across the United States, 7.1 percent of outpatient visits were due to influenza-like illness, which is above the national baseline of 2.2 percent.

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