LANSING, Mich. (AP) - Flu hospitalizations in Michigan are way up this season because of the spread of the more serious H1N1 strain of the disease.
The Michigan Department of Community Health says the good news is this year's flu vaccine targets the H1N1 strain, making it highly effective in preventing the disease.
The department says labs confirm 169 Michigan cases this season, compared with 338 a year earlier.
But department spokeswoman Angela Minicuci says there are 190 reported hospitalizations so far this season, up from 115 a year earlier. New numbers come out Friday.
The state doesn't track adult flu deaths. There's been one juvenile death this season.
Minicuci says officials hope people take the virulence of this season's outbreak as a warning to get vaccinated.
