Michigan Reports First Flu Cases Of The Season - WLNS TV 6 Lansing - Jackson | Your Local News Leader

It's not just meningitis any more. The flu has made its way to Michigan.

The Michigan Department of Community Health says 12 people have caught the disease - all of them in lower Michigan. They're the first cases identified in the 2012-13 flu season.

Both kids and adults got sick. At least two of them ended up in the hospital.

Nine cases were type "B" flu. Three were type "A."

State officials say the flu typically starts spreading each fall and peaks in January or February.

They say it's too early to tell how mild or how bad the season might be. Right now, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has labeled Michigan's flu as "sporadic" - the lowest of the four categories.

But officials say these first cases are a good reminder for everyone to get flu shots.

"We know that the flu vaccine is the single best way to protect against getting the flu," said Community Health Director James Haveman in a press release.

Health officials say everyone over 6 months old ought to get a shot. They say it's particular important for high-risk people, including the elderly, pregnant women, children, and people with certain health conditions to get the vaccine. They say new parents and health care professionals ought to get shots soon, as well.

Michigan has a program to help kids get affordable shots. Check with your doctor or visit visit www.michigan.gov/vfc.

You can also find vaccination clinics near you at www.flushot.healthmap.org.

The state of Michigan also has all kinds of information at www.michigan.gov/flu.