Flu Rates Surge in Michigan as Season Hits Early and Hard
Michigan is witnessing a significant rise in flu cases, with flu-like activity reaching the “very high” category on the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 13-level assessment for the week ending December 27.
Compared to the same period last year, hospitalizations have surged by 40%, according to Ryan Malosh, director of the division of immunizations for the state’s health department. “So this flu season… is hitting earlier, and it is worryingly severe,” Malosh stated.
The state has already recorded 32 confirmed influenza outbreaks in the current 2025-2026 flu season. Nationally, the CDC estimates that there have been 11 million flu-related illnesses, leading to 120,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths this season.
Jim Lee, senior vice president for data policy and analytics at the Michigan Health and Hospital Association, noted that last year’s flu season peaked around mid-to-late February. “It’s too early to tell when that peak will occur, but we’re definitely experiencing flu season a little bit earlier this year in our hospitals,” said Lee.
In terms of prevention, approximately 24% of Michigan’s population has been vaccinated against influenza this season. A predominant factor in the current surge is the H3N2 subclade K variant of influenza A. However, Dr. Natasha Bagdasarian, the state’s chief medical executive, mentioned that it “doesn’t seem to be associated with an increased severity of cases.”
“The flu vaccine is still effective at preventing those severe complications from happening,” Dr. Bagdasarian affirmed. She suggested adopting a “layered approach” to protection, which includes getting vaccinated, wearing masks, and staying home when feeling unwell. Dr. Bagdasarian also emphasized that it is not too late for individuals to receive their flu vaccinations.
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