Federal health officials are investigating an unusual flu outbreak on the campus of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where 528...
Federal health officials are investigating an unusual flu outbreak on the campus of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor, where 528 cases have been reported since October 6.
University officials reported a sharp spike in cases over the past two weeks. During the week of November 8, there were 313 newly diagnosed cases. The previous week saw 198 cases.
More than three out of four patients - 77 percent - have not been vaccinated against the A(H3N2) influenza virus, according to U-M officials.
The large and sudden outbreak has prompted the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to initiate an investigation.
A team from the CDC will work in conjunction with the Washtenaw County Health Department, the Michigan Department of Health and Human Services, and the university.
CDC officials ‘will be evaluating flu vaccine uptake and vaccine effectiveness and risk factors for spread through data analysis, questionnaires and sample collection of patients’ at the school, according to a statement from the university.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has launched an investigation into a flu outbreak on the campus of the University of Michigan at Ann Arbor (above)
'Through prompt detection and collaboration with county and state health officials, as well as School of Public Health and Michigan Medicine researchers, we quickly identified these cases as influenza A(H3N2) virus infections,' said Lindsey Mortenson, UHS medical director and acting executive director.
'Partnering with the CDC will accelerate our understanding of how this flu season may unfold regionally and nationally in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic.'
The outbreak is concerning due to the timing - just a week before the Thanksgiving holiday, when students will travel to homes nationwide to spend the weekend with family.
Health officials have repeated calls for students and faculty on the Ann Arbor campus to get vaccinated against influenza as soon as possible.
According to the CDC, the flu vaccination reduces risk of contracting the illness by between 40 and 60 percent.
The CDC says that the current flu vaccines work better against influenza B and influenza A(H1NI1) viruses compared to the A(H3N2) strands.
Though flu vaccines are not considered foolproof, health officials still recommend getting the shot because of studies that show they help reduce the severity of illness and hospitalizations.
The image above shows a colored transmission electron micrograph of H3N2 influenza virus particles
'While we often start to see some flu activity now, the size of this outbreak is unusual,' said Juan Luis Marquez, medical director at the Washtenaw County Health Department.
'We’re grateful for the additional support of the CDC and our ongoing partnership with the university as we look more closely at the situation.
'This outbreak doesn't necessarily have an immediate impact on the broader local community, but it does raise concerns about what the flu season may bring.
'Most importantly, we strongly recommend anyone not yet vaccinated against seasonal flu to do so.
'And anyone at higher risk of severe flu complications should talk to their doctor about prescription antiviral medications at the first sign of flu symptoms.'
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