Health & Fitness
Flu Kills 2 MI Kids, Several Other Flu-Related Deaths Under Review
The two children's deaths are Michigan's first flu-related pediatric deaths for the 2024-2025 flu season.
MICHIGAN — Michigan health officials confirmed Friday the state's first two flu-related children's deaths for the 2024-2025 flu season.
The deaths involved children in Wayne and Genesee counties who contracted seasonal Influenza A, or H1N1, according to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services.
Officials said they are investigating several other possible deaths from influenza in Michigan children.
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"We are heartbroken for the families who have experienced this loss," MDHHS Chief Medical Executive Natasha Bagdasarian said. "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."
Officials said at least 57 children across the country have died from the virus this flu season. Last season, the flu killed nearly 200 children across the country, including eight in Michigan, according to Michigan health officials.
Find out what's happening in Across Michiganfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The deaths come as the CDC says flu cases are "very high" across Michigan. Nearly 8 percent of patients who visited emergency rooms and urgent-care facilities had flu-like illnesses, as of Jan. 25 (the latest data available), up from 5.4 percent the week before, according to state data.
As of Friday, roughly 2.6 million Michiganders have received the flu vaccine, down 9 percent from this time last year, according to state data.
Health officials urged Michiganders aged six months and older to get vaccinated against the flu.
"Flu kills and this is a tragic reminder. But we have life-saving vaccines," Wayne County Health Director and Director of Health, Human and Veterans Services Abdul El-Sayed said. "And the best way to protect your kids is by getting them and ourselves vaccinated."
Additionally, they urged anyone who gets sick during the flu season to get a COVID-19 test.
"We have antiviral medications that are effective against both viruses," Bagdasarian said. "Talk to your health care provider to find out more."
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