Michigan flu cases surge; some kids on ventilators, health officials say

Michiganphysiciansandstatehealthofficialssaidinfluenzaandothervaccine-preventablediseasesaresurging,especiallyamongthestate’syoungestresidents,somewhohaveneededventilatorstohelpthembreathe. “We’rehearingfrom(pediatrichospitalsandotherfacilitiesthattreatchildren)thoseinfluenzacasesareincreasingexponentially,”saidDr.NatashaBagdasarian,thestate’schiefmedicalexecutive,Wednesdayduringavirtualmediaroundtablewithotherexperts.“They’realsoseeingamassiveinfluxofinfluenzacasesintheirICUsandonventilators.Again,thesearepediatriccases.” RyanMalosh,directoroftheDivisionofImmunizationattheMichiganDepartmentofHealthandHumanServices,saidMichiganisseeinga40%increaseinhospitalizationsduetoflucomparedtothistimelastyear. “Thisfluseason…ishittingearlieranditisworringlysevere,”Maloshsaid. Government data postedMon