Flu numbers down from a year ago
While all the focus is on the COVID-19 pandemic, flu season has quietly arrived in Michigan with numbers that are down from last year at this time.
A total of 39 patient visits due to influenza like illness ( ILI) was reported out of 6,915 office visits in Michigan for the week ended Nov. 21. That is a 0.6 percent ILI activity rate for the state which is down from 0.7 last week.
It is down from 1.2 percent on Nov. 23, 2019, when there were 159 patient visits out of 13,363 office visits
omparatively, the number nationally is 1.6 percent of outpatient visits that were due to ILI. That is up from 1.5 last week. The Centers for Disease Control reports that seasonal flu activity is low nationally.
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.
“We’ve not so far seen a significant surge of the flu in our hospitals or in the region and the state,’’ said Dr. Adnan Munkarah, chief clinical officer at Henry Ford Health Systems. “This is where we strongly encourage people to get the
flu vaccine.
This is a gift that you can give to yourself or your family if you’ve not had it yet.
“There is a rumor that the flu vaccine causes people to be at risk for COVID virus. This is not true,’’ Dr. Munkarah added.
A flu shot is recommended for everyone ages 6 months and older with rare exceptions. It’s not too late to be vaccinated.
To find a place near you for a flu vaccine go to Michigan.gov/f lu. Many drug store chains and retailers offer flu shots.