Flu cases remaining low in Michigan
Flu season in Michigan is winding down now with case numbers remaining in the low range. In part, the protocols for COVID-19 like mask-wearing and hand hygiene have also stopped the flu from spreading.
A total of 23 patient visits due to influenza like illness (ILI) was reported out of 6,617 office visits in Michigan for the week ending April 3. That is a 0.3 percent ILI activity rate for the state which is down from 0.4 from last week.
A year ago on April 4 it was at 1.6 percent when there were 78 patient visits out of 4,923 office visits.
Comparatively, the number nationally is 1.0 percent of outpatient visits which is up from 0.9 percent last week. It’s lower than it was a year ago when it stood at 1.6 percent.
The CDC has reported since the beginning of the flu season in October that seasonal flu activity is lower than usual this year.
ILI is defined as a fever (higher than 100 degrees) and a cough and/or a sore throat without a known cause other than influenza.
Nationally one pediatric death due to the flu has been confirmed for the 2020-2021 flu season. No pediatric deaths have been reported by the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services. At this time last year 166 pediatric deaths due to the flu had been reported nationally with four confirmed by the MDHHS.
The World Health Organization has reported that the 2020-2021 influenza season has had record-low reported influenza cases. Decreased influenza activity could be due to reduced
influenza surveillance and reporting from many countries, use of respiratory protection, mitigation strategies, and social-distancing related to COVID-19.
If you have flu symptoms and are at high risk of serious flu complications, call your health care provider as soon as possible. Your provider may decide to treat you with flu antiviral medications.
Much like COVID-19, influenza viruses are spread when a person who has influenza coughs, sneezes, or speaks which releases viruses into the air where other people can inhale the viruses. When these viruses enter the nose, throat, or lungs of a person, they begin to multiply, causing disease. The viruses may also be spread when a person touches a surface with flu viruses on it and then touches their nose or mouth, according to the MDHHS.
Flu vaccinations were up substantially this season which helps explain the low volume of flu cases in Michigan and across
the country. Of course, the COVID pandemic has also played a role.