Third child death reported as Michigan flu cases rise Candice Williams The Detroit News January 2,

Cases of the flu The state is reporting its third pediatric death linked to the flu this season as the number of confirmed cases continues to rise. The most recent death was a 6-year-old in southwest Michigan, according to the Michigan Department of Community Health. The previously reported pediatric deaths in December were a six-month-old from southwest Michigan and a 13-year-old from the central region. There is a particular concern for children, said Angela Minicuci, spokeswoman for the Michigan Department of Community Health.

Not all the cases The MDCH Bureau of Laboratories has confirmed 252 positive influenza cases as of Dec. 27, up from 149 the prior week. This does not represent all reported cases at other laboratories in Michigan, Minicuci said. Symptoms of the flu include high fever, cough, chills and body aches. Everyone over the age of 6 months is encouraged to get a flu shot. Because children under the age of 6 months cannot get the shot, the state is encouraging those around them — including parents, siblings and caregivers — to receive the vaccine.

Vaccine matches flu strains The vaccine matches the majority of the flu strains detected this year, Minicuci said. "If they get their flu shots, they have a very good chance of being protected against the flu this year," she said. Some children 6 months to 8 years old will need two doses of the vaccine. Health care providers use the Michigan's Care Improvement Registry to determine if a child requires two doses.

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