Flu rips through University of Michigan campus, bringing CDC to Ann Arbor - influenza A (H3N2)

[Mary Wilson]

Nov 15 2021

Kristen Jordan Shamus

Influenza is sweeping the University of Michigan's Ann Arbor campus, with 528 cases diagnosed at the University Health Service since Oct. 6.

The outbreak is so sudden and large — 313 cases were identified the week of Nov. 8 alone and 37% of flu tests that week were positive — that it has drawn the attention of federal health leaders.

A team of investigators from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention will be on campus this week, trying to learn more about the spread of the virus and the effectiveness of this year's flu vaccine.

Among those who've contracted flu at U-M this fall, 77% didn't get a flu vaccine. The cases were identified as influenza A (H3N2), said Lindsey Mortenson, UHS medical director and acting executive director. ...

https://www.freep.com/story/news/health/2021/11/15/flu-rips-through-university-michigan-campus-brings-cdc-campus/8622063002/

[sharon sanders]

Please see this:

Michigan - Emergency Rooms Are Swamped With Seriously Ill Patients, Although Many Don’t Have Covid - November 2, 2021

[Shiloh]

Source: https://www.mlive.com/news/ann-arbor...cdc-study.html

745 flu cases identified in University of Michigan CDC study
Updated: Dec. 06, 2021, 11:47 a.m. | Published: Dec. 06, 2021, 11:27 a.m.
By Samuel Dodge | sdodge@mlive.com

ANN ARBOR, MI - More than 700 cases of influenza were identified during a two-month study by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control & Prevention on University of Michigan’s Ann Arbor campus.

Between Oct. 6 and Nov. 19 there were 745 flu cases diagnosed, with nearly all among the student population, officials said. The majority of patients experienced mild symptoms, the study shows...

...The CDC issued its report on Dec. 3, but continues to work with UM and the county health department to assess flu risks and develop prevention and treatment methods. Other recommendations in the study include people staying at home should flu symptoms arise and taking antiviral medications for flu prevention and treatments.

The study did not determine if the severity of illness is lessened after vaccination and found that vaccination did not slow the spread of infection of the A(H3N2) variant of the virus on UM’s campus. With flu surging on campus, though, any sort of precaution or protection is warranted, officials said..

...The H3N2 strain spreading at UM has some genetic differences from the strains used in this year’s flu vaccine, officials said, and could explain some issues in vaccine effectiveness. This emphasizes a need to stay home if you experience flu symptoms, Martin said...

[sharon sanders]

bump this