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Michigan has reported its seventh pediatric flu death of the 2024-25 season.
A child in the city of Detroit died after being infected with influenza A (H3N2), the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services confirmed Thursday, April 10.
Health officials did not provide additional details about the child or their case.
Michigan’s six previous pediatric flu deaths were reported in Genesee, Kent, Macomb and Wayne counties, as well as one death reported by the Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency. The state declined to specify which of the three counties the death occurred.
Flu season in Michigan typically runs from October through May. Each of the last two seasons resulted in eight flu-associated pediatric deaths, according to state records.
Nationally, there have been 168 influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported this season, as of the week ending March 29.
Since the seasonal peak in mid-February, Michigan has reported seven consecutive weeks of decline in flu-like illness. As of late March, flu-like illness made up 2.9% of health care visits, compared to more than 10% at the peak.
Nationally, no states had high rates of flu-like illness as of April 5, and only New York, Maine, Maryland and Washington D.C. had moderate levels. Michigan’s rate was low, while most of the Midwest was minimal.
This year’s flu shot uptake was the lowest in at least six years. With about 2.8 million doses administered, Michigan was down about 86,000 doses from last year, and about 1.2 million doses from its state goal.
Vaccines for flu, coronavirus, and RSV are available at local health departments, physician offices, and pharmacies throughout Michigan. All three shots can be given together.