Flu cases in Michigan continue to rise as the Department of Community Health (MDCH) confirmed last week that a third child and at least two adults have died from the illness.
According to the state’s most recent Influenza Surveillance Update, there have been 252 confirmed cases of the flu for the 2012-13 season (starting Sept. 30, 2012).
"While it's too early to tell how severe our season might be, there's no doubt that we've seen more cases already this year than we typically do," Director of the MDCH, James K. Haveman, said in a statement.
"Hundreds of thousands of people are hospitalized with flu each year. Vaccination is the single most important step we can take to protect ourselves and our families against infection. It's not too late to get vaccinated before Michigan's flu season peaks," he said.
According the Detroit Free Press, no children died due to the flu last year despite 1,170 confirmed cases.
MDCH recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months be vaccinated each year.
You can use the Health Map Vaccine Finder to find a flu shot near you.
- Jordan Wyant, Michigan Radio Newsroom
