Flu's deadly toll rises in Michigan as 2 kids die in Kent County, 1 in Macomb County

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27-02-2025

The deaths of three Michigan children from the flu were announced Thursday — bringing the grim tally statewide to five this year, state and local health officials told the Free Press.
Two of the most recent deaths occurred Kent County and the other was reported in Macomb County.
"I can confirm that there has been a pediatric flu-related death in Macomb County. We will not be releasing any further information on this unfortunate loss," said Andrew Cox, director/health officer of Macomb County Health and Community Services, in an emailed statement to the Free Press.
Neither the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services nor Cox would answer questions about when the child died, the age of the child, what strain of flu virus sickened the child, or whether the child had been hospitalized or received the seasonal flu vaccine.
In Kent County, Health Officer Dr. Adam London issued the following statement: 'We are deeply saddened by the loss of these young lives to influenza. This is a heartbreaking reminder that while the flu can be mild for some, it poses serious health risks for others. We encourage anyone who has not received a flu shot this season to consider doing so as soon as possible to protect our community and our children."
A spokesperson from Kent County did not immediately respond to a phone call or text message from the Free Press seeking information about when the children died, what type of flu virus they had, and whether they were vaccinated. Laina Stebbins, a spokesperson for the state health department, said only that they "are not sharing any further details."
The state health department reported the first two Michigan pediatric flu deaths of the season — in Wayne and Genesee counties — on Feb. 14 . Both of those children had the H1N1 type of influenza A, according to the state health department.
Their deaths come as flu activity surges in Michigan, putting pressure on hospital emergency departments. Corewell Health urged metro Detroiters earlier this month to carefully consider other options before seeking care at its hospitals, which have been strained by the rising number of people with flu, COVID-19 and RSV.
State influenza surveillance data shows that the spread of flu-like illnesses were at the highest level reportable — "very high" — in the week ending Feb. 15, with H1N1 and H3N2 types of influenza A causing the most infections.
In the last week alone, nearly 3,000 Michiganders were hospitalized with flu, according to the state dashboard. And among children, 9.7% of pediatric hospital emergency department visits were associated with flu, RSV or COVID-19 in the week ending Feb. 22. Of them, flu made up the lion's share, accounting for 7.9% of the hospital emergency visits among kids.
More: MDHHS: 2 Michigan children die from flu as hospitalizations climb
More: Michigan flu, RSV, COVID surges wreak 'havoc' in Corewell emergency departments
Statewide, seasonal flu vaccination rates are lower than they've been in the last several years. As of Feb. 22, just 24.7% of Michiganders had received the seasonal flu vaccine, according to the Michigan Seasonal Respiratory Viruses Dashboard.
When the first two Michigan children died, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the state's chief medical executive, issued the following statement, reminding people that it's not too late to get the vaccine:
'We are heartbroken for the families who have experienced this loss. Last season, influenza claimed the lives of nearly 200 children across the United States. 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. It can still prevent the severe complications of influenza, including hospitalization and death.'
State health leaders recommend that everyone older than 6 months, including people who are pregnant, should get a seasonal flu vaccine. Additionally, when people get sick, it's important to get treatment early, they say, when antiviral medicine can limit the severity of illness and prevent dangerous complications.
Nationally, at least 86 children have died from flu so far this season, according to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
There were eight pediatric flu deaths reported in Michigan during the 2023-24 season and eight in the 2022-23 season as well, Stebbins said.
(This story was updated with additional information.)
Contact Kristen Shamus: [e-mail]. Subscribe to the Detroit Free Press.
This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Flu death toll rises to 5 in Michigan as 3 more children die