Michigan health department confirms 1st pediatric flu death of season

Michigan has confirmed its first pediatric death due to influenza this flu season.

The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reported the death Friday, and said it involves a child who contracted Influenza A (H1N1). Nationally, there have been at least 93 flu-related pediatric deaths this flu season.

No other details about the child were released, including age, hometown and date of death.

“These are tragedies that no family should ever have to endure,” said Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the state's chief medical executive.

According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, while the seasonal flu virus is spread year-round, it typically circulates in fall and winter. Virus activity often begins to increase in October and most of the time peaks between December and February. Significant flu activity, however, is possible as late as May.

March was actually a peak time for the flu in six of the last 40 years, according to the CDC.

And it's not too late to get a flu shot.

Citing the death of the unidentified child, Dr. Bagdasarian said the state health department "continues to strongly recommend that everyone six months of age and older get a seasonal flu vaccine.

"It's the best way to protect yourself and your family from getting sick and reduces illness severity if someone does get the flu," she said in a news release.

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Once children are 6 months old, they should receive two doses for their first series. Pregnant women are also advised to get vaccinated to help protect themselves and their baby, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services said in the release.

But just about one-fourth, 25.1%, of Michigan residents have received a flu vaccine for the 2023-24 season. Just 19.2% of children ages 6 months to 17 years have been vaccinated this season, down slightly from 20.9% in 2022-23.

According to the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, influenza continues to contribute to emergency room visits and hospitalizations in the state and country.

The flu is currently the cause of more emergency room visits than COVID-19 and another respiratory illness, known as RSV, in Michigan, especially among children, the department said in email to the Free Press.

Influenza also continues to pose a risk of severe infection, including death, and with new reports of pediatric mortality reported each week in the United States, additional pediatric deaths cannot be ruled out, according to the department.

If you get the flu, early treatment with an antiviral drug can help prevent flu infections from becoming more severe.

For more information about the flu, go to Michigan.gov/flu.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Michigan confirms 1st pediatric death this season from influenza