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2013 Flu Season Begins With A Bang

LANSING (WWJ) - Michigan is beginning the new year with an unusually high number of flu cases and one flu death.

Angela Minicuci of the Michigan Health Department says there are more than 250 confirmed cases of the flu.

"Typically we don't see that volume of cases until early February in Michigan in flu season, and those numbers are current as of December 27th," Minicuci told WWJ Newsradio 950.

"You know, it's hard to say what's really contributed to this overall, but what I can say is this is something that's being seen across the nation -- it's not just affecting Michigan," she said. "There's just been a much higher and early flu season than we've typically had in the past."

Minicuci said a 6-year-old from Southwest Michigan is the latest death from the flu.

According to health officials, the best way to prevent the flu is a vaccination. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control recommends a flu shot for anyone over the age of 6 months.

"Additionally, we recommend that those that are going to be around children, infants -- especially under the age of 6 months old, that they have their flu shots," Minicuci said. "That way we're ensuring that anyone who comes in contact with the child, the infant under 6 months of age, is protected."

(Where to get your flu shot).

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