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Two Area Deaths attributed to Flu-Related Illnesses

Josef Muellek/iStockphoto.com
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NPR/ SHots/ Health News

Washtenaw Public Health confirms two deaths from influenza-related illness.  

Officials are urging residents to get vaccinated and a potent flu strain makes the rounds in the county.

Susan Cerniglia is the Public Information Officer for Washtenaw Public Health. She says seniors and children are not the only ones getting hit hard with the flu - younger people are also getting very sick.

Cerniglia says vaccinations are still available at Public Health, and through health care providers. She says some pharmacies are running out of the vaccine, so people should call ahead before going to a local pharmacy for a flu shot.

A report dated January 10th from the county:

Influenza is circulating at peak levels in Washtenaw County. Influenza A is dominant so far this season, with A/H1N1 subtyped in the majority of cases. A few influenza B cases have been diagnosed. Respiratory illness rates in schools and child care centers are currently unknown due to the holiday/weather break. Hospitalizations associated with inflluenza infection continue to climb. The age range of hospitalizations in Washtenaw residents to date is 10 to 91 years, with almost half under the age of 50 (this is typical for A/H1N1). The first local flu-related deaths were reported this week in older adults with underlying high-risk health conditions.

Influenza Activity for Current Season

Local flu activity in 2013-14 season (pdf)

Hospitalizations for 2013-14(pdf)

— Bob Eccles is a reporter and the host of 89.1 WEMU's All Things Considered. Contact him at 734.487.3363, email him reccles@emich.edu, or follow him on Twitter @BobEcclesWEMU