Michigan Influenza Season 2025-26

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Flu Cases Rising Among Children in West Michigan, Doctors Warn
Posted 46 minutes ago

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich — Doctors in West Michigan are warning families to be cautious as flu cases — especially among children — are beginning to rise.

Corewell Health pediatrician Dr. Leah Peirce said that children who catch the flu are “getting sick very suddenly,” and that “the classic symptoms are fever, sometimes really high fevers, cough, stuffy nose, sore throat, [and] body aches.”

continued: https://www.fox17online.com/news/loc...n-doctors-warn

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[emphasis is mine]

Influenza Testing Algorithm for the 2025-2026 Season

Michigan Department of Health & Human Services (MDHHS)

Questions regarding case and outbreak influenza testing should be directed to the

MDHHS communicable disease main line at 517-335-8165 during normal hours or 517-335-9030 after hours.

Suspect avian or novel influenza cases should be reported immediately to MDHHS; testing is arranged at that time.

Click on images to read






* Acceptable specimens: NP swab in viral transport medium (VTM) or universal transport medium (UTM); OP swabs in VTM or UTM; nasal swab in VTM or UTM;

nasal aspirates; nasopharyngeal wash/aspirate; bronchoalveolar lavage; sputum (PCR Only); lower respiratory tract aspirate. Do not submit dry swabs for testing.

DO NOT SUBMIT MULTIPLE SAMPLES ON THE SAME PATIENT unless by special arrangements.

† Swabs used in influenza rapid diagnostic tests cannot be reused for MDHHS testing. Consider collecting two swabs so that one may be reserved for MDHHS

confirmatory testing if needed. Alternatively, an aliquot of the original specimen may be submitted.

‡ No report for SARS-CoV-2 sequencing results will be reported.

§ No report for influenza B genotyping results will be reported.

⁑ Sent to CDC for further characterization. Will initiate prompt MDHHS epi investigation.

If an influenza result is Inconclusive: Sent to CDC for further characterization.

Revised 10/2025

https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/-/media/Project/Websites/mdhhs/BOL/Influenza-Page/Influenza-Testing-Algorithm.pdf?rev=60d32c3c82634e158bc190fa1f459bd8&hash=D1B53801CC95E78E8B1F8DE7AC46FA5A

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Michigan Department of Health and Human Services

Guidelines for Respiratory Virus Outbreaks in Long-Term Care (LTC) Facilities
Updated October 2025


This guidance outlines Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) recommendations to control respiratory virus outbreaks in LTC facilities. Residents of LTC facilities can experience severe and fatal illness during respiratory virus outbreaks, therefore, prompt recognition and management of outbreaks is critical. Any suspected outbreaks should prompt immediate action as outlined below.

Please call your local health department (LHD) or the MDHHS communicable disease main line at (517) 335-8165 with any questions.


*(e.g. influenza, SARS-CoV-2, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), parainfluenza, human metapneumovirus, adenovirus)

Elderly or medically fragile persons may have atypical signs of respiratory virus infection and may not present with fever.

Action Steps
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... continued. https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/-/med...1B1F35A01C9DEA

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February 14, 2025
MDHHS reports first influenza-associated pediatric deaths in Michigan this season


LANSING, Mich. – The Michigan Department of Health and Human Services (MDHHS) has confirmed the first two influenza-associated pediatric deaths in Michigan for the 2024-2025 influenza season.

The reported deaths involve children in Wayne and Genesee counties who contracted seasonal Influenza A (H1N1). Nationally, there have been at least 57 influenza-associated pediatric deaths reported this flu season. Unfortunately, several other Michigan pediatric influenza deaths are currently under investigation and future updates can be found in the weekly Michigan Flu Focus report.
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Outpatient visits for influenza-like illness are the highest they have been in Michigan over the last 15 years, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data. Since the start of this influenza season, nearly 10,000 flu-related hospitalizations have been reported in Michigan and influenza hospitalizations have increased each week since Saturday, Nov. 30. There were 2,586 hospitalizations reported the week ending Saturday, Feb. 1. Additional information is available in the Michigan Flu Focus report and at Michigan.gov/covidflursv.

According to data from the Michigan Care Improvement Registry, pediatric influenza vaccine coverage in Michigan this season is at 15.1%, the lowest in recent seasons. It’s not too late to get the flu vaccination this season. Everyone older than 6 months of age is recommended to receive a flu vaccine.

...https://www.michigan.gov/mdhhs/insid...ted-ped-deaths

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February 3, 2025
‘Quad-demic’ hitting the U.S. with four respiratory illnesses on the rise


Recent numbers from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show a surge in four different viruses across the United States.

It’s what’s being called a “Quad-demic,” with cases on the rise for COVID-19, Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Influenza, and Norovirus.

...https://ivaccinate.org/quad-demic-hi...s-on-the-rise/

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February 3, 2025
Grand Rapids children’s hospital limits visitors amid rise in respiratory illnesses



Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital is limiting the number of visitors in its pediatric areas due to health concerns amid rising respiratory illnesses.

Effective immediately, only two people are permitted at the bedside of patients during the day and one person overnight, according to the new temporary guidelines issued by Corewell Health Thursday, Jan. 30.

Hospital officials said the change was due to a “high number of pediatric admissions and an increase in respiratory illnesses throughout the community.”

The new restrictions only apply to pediatric inpatient units, which are open and ready to care for patients, the hospital said. There may be longer wait times or beds in non-traditional settings because of the increased number of patients.

continued: https://ivaccinate.org/grand-rapids-...ory-illnesses/

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Grand Rapids hospital imposes visitor restrictions after surge in respiratory illnesses across state
January 30, 2025

GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Michigan hospitals are facing a spike in respiratory illnesses, with cases of influenza rising rapidly across the state.

Over the past week, the number of people visiting emergency departments for flu symptoms has more than doubled, according to state health reports.

The surge is not limited to adults, as children are also being affected.
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"Over the last week or so looks like, according to the state of Michigan, there's been a doubling in the number of cases of people showing up to the emergency department to be treated for upper respiratory illnesses, specifically influenza," said Christa Wagner, RN clinical coordinator for the University of Michigan Health-West.

...https://www.wzzm13.com/article/news/...a-eed9c90d3417