State's First Pediatric Flu Death Reported in Oakland County

OAKLAND COUNTY, MI – Michigan health officials have confirmed the first influenza death in Michigan this year — a school-aged child from Oakland County.

“My heart goes out to the family,” Oakland County Executive L. Brooks Patterson said in a statement. “This tragedy reminds us that influenza can be a very serious illness, especially in young children.”

The Oakland County Health Division recommends everyone over the age of 6 months receive an influenza vaccination. Those who are at a higher risk of flu complications ― children younger than 5 years old, pregnant women, older adults, and those with chronic medical conditions ― should especially get a flu shot and take preventative actions.

Additionally, George Miller, director of the Oakland County Department of Health and Human Services, reminded residents of simple, but important habits that can control the spread of the influenza virus — “washing your hands, covering your cough, and staying home when sick,” he said.

Getting an annual flu shot not only lessens the chance of getting the flu, but also helps decrease the severity of the illness and complications and protects the entire community. The flu virus can be spread to others as far as six feet away, mainly by droplets made when people with flu cough, sneeze, or talk.

Less often, a person may also get the flu by touching a surface or object that has flu virus on it and then touching their own eyes, nose, or mouth. Washing your hands often with soap and water is a proactive way to avoid this. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.

Flu shots are available at Health Division offices in Pontiac and Southfield from noon – 8 p.m. on Mondays and 8:30 a.m. – 5 p.m., Tuesday through Friday. Walk-in clients are welcome. Flu shots cost $25.

The high-dose flu shot recommended for those 65 years and older is $37 and is covered by Medicare. You may also pay online and register for a flu shot at www.oakgov.com/health.

Use This Tool to Find Sick People

Cold viruses are always with us. Flu season occurs in the winter. Flu outbreaks can happen as early as October and as late as May. Click on common cold, flu or fever to see each map. Select national view to see a five-day heat map of reported ailments.

Flu Vaccines

The Centers for Disease Control recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older. As long as flu viruses are circulating in the community, it’s not too late to get vaccinated.

Also, you can takepreventive actions — stay away from sick people and wash your hands to reduce the spread of germs. If you are sick with flu, stay home from work or school to avoid getting your germs on others and making them sick, too.

• What You Should Know About This Cold and Flu Season (CDC)

Three common flu viruses circulate among people today: influenza A (H1N1) viruses, influenza A (H3N2) viruses, and influenza B viruses, according to the CDC. All of the 2015-2016 influenza vaccine is made to protect against the following three viruses:

• an A/California/7/2009 (H1N1)pdm09-like virus
• an A/Switzerland/9715293/2013 (H3N2)-like virus
• a B/Phuket/3073/2013-like virus. (This is a B/Yamagata lineage virus)