Flu Reports Rise in Michigan, Big Increase in Kent County

The flu is spreading quickly across Michigan and especially Kent County.

The Michigan Department of Community Health says that reports of flu-like symptoms rose in all four regions of the state over the past week. The southeast region reported the highest rate.

Regionally, total rates of report are still not too high compared to prior years, but that could change if the trend continues. This is the second straight week with across-the-board rises in reports of the flu.

Kent County has seen bigger increases. WZZM-13 reports:

Health Department Spokeswoman Lisa LaPlante says 341 additional cases of influenza were reported in Kent County last week, bringing the total up from 74 cases to 415 cases. That number is significantly higher than last flu season; on Jan. 3, 2014, the Kent County Health Department reported 230 cases of flu.