Health Officials Note Uptick In Flu Cases
LANSING (WWJ) - State health officials say there's been an increase in the number of flu cases across Michigan.
What do these cases have in common? None of these people were vaccinated.
"The recent cases of flu serve as a reminder for Michiganders to get their flu vaccine – before the flu season peaks," said Olga Dazzo, Director of the Michigan Department of Community Health. "We encourage all Michigan citizens to get vaccinated as it truly is the single best way to protect you and your loved ones from getting the flu."
This new come following Monday's closure of Allen Elementary in Southgate, after nearly 200 students missed school. The district says while some were sick with the flu, many other kids were simply kept home so they wouldn't catch the illness.
MDCH and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommend that everyone 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine.
So far in Michigan, the MDCH reports over half of the cases have been in children. Children, especially those younger than 2 years of age, are at higher risk of serious flu complications such as hospitalization and death. Other high risk group individuals include pregnant women, people with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart and lung disease and people 65 years and older.
Find a vaccination clinic near you with the flu vaccine finder at www.flu.gov.
