HILLSDALE, MI (WTVB) – An older Hillsdale County resident with underlying health conditions has become the first flu associated death this year according to tri-county health department health officer Rebecca Burns.
The Branch-Hillsdale-St. Joseph Community Health Agency says the number of flu cases caused by the Influenza A – H1N1 strain has increased.
The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services is now reporting ‘widespread’ flu activity throughout the state.
The current flu virus is the most common strain circulating this season. This is the strain that was also associated with the 2009 pandemic outbreak.
The health department continues to encourage people who have not been vaccinated to get their flu shot.
Burns says people who have been vaccinated were 59 percent less likely to get the flu than people who didn’t.
Another way to prevent getting the flu is to practice good hygiene. To learn more about preventing the flu, call your local county health department office or log onto www.bhsj.org
