Pediatric flu has claimed the lives of two children in Michigan this season. The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services reports these are the first two children in this current flu season.

MDHHS says the "reported deaths involve children from Shiawassee and Wayne counties who were infected with Influenza B. Nationally, there have been 32 influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported during the 2019-2020 flu season. Additional possible cases will continue to be investigated by state and local public health agencies."

“These tragic deaths are a reminder of how serious influenza can be,” said Dr. Joneigh Khaldun, chief medical executive and chief deputy for health for MDHHS. “I urge all Michiganders ages 6 months and older to get their flu shots if they have not already done so this season. It is not too late.”  - MDHHS

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that in Michigan, four children died last year due to flu-related complications, while nationally there were 136 flu-related deaths among children.during last year’s flu season. Overall, there were an estimated 34,200 deaths from influenza.

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