Michigan confirms third pediatric flu death, first measles case of year

A third Michigan child has died of flu this season, public health officials said Wednesday
Meanwhile, another vaccine-preventable disease — measles — was confirmed this week in Michigan
The first symptoms of measles are like a common cold. Untreated, the infected person is contagious for days without knowing it

Michigan is reporting the death of a third child from influenza this season and confirming the state’s first case of measles of 2026, in an unvaccinated adult.

Both diseases are contagious, and doctors and public health experts around the world recommend vaccination.

Kent County confirmed Wednesday the state’s third influenza-associated pediatric death. Two pediatric flu-related deaths in southeast Michigan were reported in February.

“We are deeply saddened by the loss of this young life to influenza,” said Dr. Adam London, health officer for the Kent County health department, in a statement. “This tragedy reminds us that influenza can have serious consequences, especially for children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.”

Officials with the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services say the cause of death is determined by local medical examiners, whose reports may lag behind the time of death.

Countless Michiganders began the year in hospital settings visiting doctors as they, much like the rest of the country, battled the “super flu,” so named because of a new genetic strain that has dominated cases this season.

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Flu activity in the state remains elevated, though reporting is lower than the season’s peak around the new year. In total, Michigan has seen more than 7,000 flu hospitalizations this season, with a total of 135 outbreaks concentrated in long-term care facilities and school settings.

According to state data, 26.7% of state residents have received the flu vaccine this season.

Michigan saw its highest number of flu deaths in children in over a decade last season.

Nationwide, there have been 90 influenza-associated deaths among children this season, according to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The CDC says the cumulative hospitalization rate is the third highest since the 2010-2011 season, while minors are seeing the second highest hospitalization rate in that same time period.

About 85% of reported pediatric deaths nationwide occurred in children who were not fully vaccinated, according to the federal government.

Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, Michigan’s chief medical executive, noted the rise of influenza and other respiratory illnesses in the state earlier this year, saying cases have strained emergency departments. She said immunizations are the “most effective way” to protect against vaccine-preventable diseases.

“Vaccines are the ultimate immune booster,” Bagdsarian said during a Jan. 7 press conference. “What I’m hearing anecdotally is that many of those hospitalizations are taking place in folks who were not immunized.”

MDHHS encourages residents to use preventive measures against infectious respiratory illnesses, such as testing and getting vaccinated for influenza, COVID-19 and RSV. Officials also recommend frequent handwashing and that anyone who is feeling unwell stay home to help reduce the spread of illness.

Despite shifts to other immunization practices under the guidance of US Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the federal government still maintains its recommendation that all persons aged six months and older should receive routine annual flu shots unless they have a specific medical condition.

1st Michigan measles case

Meanwhile, public health officials are warning residents in southeast Michigan about several hours of measles exposure March 4-8 at a popular Ypsilanti eatery, two cell phone stores, and two urgent care centers.

It’s the first case of measles in Michigan, as the US teeters on the brink of losing its measles elimination status.

By last week, the nation had confirmed nearly 1,300 cases in 31 states, compared to many years since 1998 when the nation logged fewer than 100 cases for an entire year.

The 18 or so hours in which the infected person exposed the public in Ypsilanti and Canton is not unusual, said Dr. Juan Luis Marquez, medical director of the Washtenaw County Health Department.

The first symptoms of measles are like a common cold — aches, pains, fever, cough, a runny nose and watery eyes.

“Typically, folks are feeling a bit crummy for a few days… They don’t realize they have measles,” Marquez said.

It’s not until days later that more tell-tale symptoms appear: tiny white spots inside the mouth and a raised and blotchy rash.

Anyone at the following locations should watch for symptoms for 21 days after the exposure.

In Ypsilanti:

Wed., March 4: Sidetrack Bar & Grill, 56 East Cross St. (7:45 p.m. to 1 a.m.)
Thurs., March 5: T-Mobile, 2044 Whittaker Rd. (6 p.m. to 8:40 p.m.)
Thurs., March 5: Cricket Wireless, 2547 Ellsworth Rd. (6:55 p.m. to 8:55 p.m.)
Fri., March 6: CVS Pharmacy, 1415 E Michigan Ave. (4 p.m. to 6:07 p.m.)
Fri., March 6: Cricket Wireless, 2547 Ellsworth Rd. (7 p.m. -10 p.m.)
Sat., March 7: Ypsilanti Urgent Care Walk-In Clinic, 301 W Michigan Ave. (7:15 p.m. to 9:27 p.m.)

In Canton:

Sun., March 8: Canton Urgent Care Walk-In Clinic, 43033 Ford Rd. (4:30 p.m. to 7 p.m.)

The infected adult was not vaccinated against measles. They had recently traveled to Florida, although it was not clear that was the source of the infection.

Most Michiganders are protected against measles because children typically receive an MMR — measles, mumps and rubella — vaccination starting at about 12 months old. However, amid a swell of vaccine hesitation, public health officials worry about a resurgence of measles and other vaccine-preventable diseases.

Measles “is one of the most contagious diseases that we know of — period. ” said Marquez, at the health department.

A man posing outdoors on a sunny day with flowers in the background. — Before the tell-tale rash of measles appears, an infected person may simply feel “crummy” — unknowingly infecting others, particularly people who are not vaccinated, said Dr. Juan Luis Marquez, medical director of the Washtenaw County Health Department. (Courtesy of Washtenaw County Health Department)

He uses a comparison to the influenza virus.

In a completely unvaccinated crowd, a person with flu passes the virus roughly to one or even two other people. In contrast, a person with measles passes the virus to 18 to 20 persons, Marquez noted, echoing peer-reviewed research elsewhere.

Nearly 84% of Washtenaw County’s teenagers are fully vaccinated against measles, according to state data.

Marquez also reminded residents Wednesday that immune globulin, a medicine known as IG, can prevent illness in high-risk individuals — infants under 1 year old and pregnant or immunocompromised individuals, for example — up to six days after exposure. (For more information, read this guidance here.)

Michigan’s vaccination rates for both kids and adults fall behind the national average on several fronts. The state’s schools have ducked below the “herd immunity” standard to adequately protect against the spread of measles and other deadly infectious diseases.ect against the spread of measles and other deadly infectious diseases.

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