Flu cases are rising, not only here in Michigan, but also across the country, which is bad news as people travel through airports to gather with family this holiday season.

Right now, Michigan is experiencing a high level of flu activity, up from a moderate level from just the week before. According to the Center for Disease Control's most recent flu map, Massachusetts, Connecticut, South Carolina, and Idaho are seeing high activity levels, and a few stats are already in the 'very high' activity range. The latest stats from the CDC show that there have been at least 4.6 million fly cases reported across the country. More than 49,000 people have been hospitalized, and 1900 have died.

So, what can you do to protect yourself as you head through the airport over the next few weeks? We asked a doctor.

Watch Ryan's report in the video player below

What to do to protect yourself from the flu as you travel for the holidays

There is a lot of concern from health experts as people travel here through DTW with those flu cases on the rise.

Im super sick right now, and I definitely dont wanna give it to anyone else," said Windsor resident Ethan Brett.

Brett is flying to Bermuda Springs, Florida, with his entire family for the holidays. They all planned it months in advance, but Ethan said he almost didn't make it.

Had to bear down on this family trip," he said. "And, I was thinking about staying home. I didnt sleep last night before the flight. I was just coughing all night. But, you know, I decided just to tough it out for the flight, drug myself up with some cough medicine.

Ethan did get a diagnosis from his doctor.

(They) said it was bronchitis," Ethan said. "But, I definitely dont think, I dont think its bronchitis.

Many passengers traveling out of Detroit Metro Airport are trying to stay safe as flu cases continue rising nationally.\

When I get in the plane, I wipe everything down, the arms, the table, you know, even the head rests they said. Really? Yep, yep. Just wipe away," said Windsor resident Debbie Piece.

The CDC believes the dominant strain causing the surge is Subclade K, a mutation of Influenza A.

Infectious Disease Doctor Jarod Fox with Orland Health says that staying up-to-date with vaccines is critical for those groups.

"Influenza vaccine, our COVID-19 vaccine, getting our boosters, especially for the immuno-compromised and the elderly. The RSV vaccine as well for the older population, our pneumococcal vaccine as well," Dr. Fox said.

And for the millions traveling for the holidays, Dr. Fox said to avoid touching your face. He also recommended wearing a mask and washing hands frequently to help decrease risk.

So, did Debbie ever consider not going on the flight?

Nope. [Laughter] You have to live your life. Right? You cant be afraid," she responded.

If you do have flu symptoms, health experts say you should stay home until you feel better overall and have not had a fever for at least 24 hours.

There's no place like home for the holidays, but getting there may be a challenge. The holiday travel rush is officially underway in Michigan, and this year, it's expected to set new records.

This holiday season, AAA projects almost 4 million Michiganders will travel at least 50 miles from home. 3.5 million will be hitting the road, and almost 220,000 will fly. And things have gotten off to a frustrating start at Detroit Metro Airport; between Friday and Sunday, there were over 700 delays.

Watch Ryan's report in the video player below

Holiday travel rush underway at DTW

On Monday morning, there's a steady flow of people here inside of McNamara Terminal, making their way to check in bags or go through security.

The weather doesn't seem like it'll be quite as frightful for Christmas, but holiday travel over the next week or so may sure feel like it for some people. Travel is getting busier as Christmas quickly approaches; AAA projects that over 122 million Americans will travel at least 50 miles from home this holiday season, which is over two percent more than last year's record of just under 120 million travelers.

Cadillac Travel Group's David Fishman offered some advice for travelers.

Christmas is probably the second busiest time after Thanksgiving. So, you really need to be ready. And, cross your Ts and dot your Is," Fishman said. Get there early. Early, early, early, okay? Maybe even earlier than you normally would. If its two hours, maybe get there two-and-a-half, three hours early. Always check and see if your flights on time. Go on those apps that will alert you. Load them onto your phone.

TSA also provided some travel tips:

Don't bring a snow globe on board, because the amount of water inside likely exceeds the 3.4-ounce liquid rule Put gifts inside bags so agents can easily screen them Don't wrap presents

Anything that is fully wrapped, our officers who screen the checked baggage may need to unwrap this in the checked bagged screening as well," said Carter Langston, a TSA regional spokesperson.

Advice like that is much appreciated for Detroiter Morgan Starosciak, who's traveling to New Hampshire with her boyfriend, Bryan, to meet his family.

If you're gonna meet family for the first time, please let their not be any hiccups or delays or anything like that. Right?" I asked Morgan.

Yes, thats for sure. We wanted to get here early to make sure we were good to go," she replied.

Its a very beautiful part of the country," Bryan said. "Theres a lot of snow there, great weather, mountains. I know Michigans got a lot of landfills. But, we got some real mountains back home. So, shes very excited to see those.

AAA said average holiday tickets are nearly $900, but flying on a holiday itself either Christmas Day or New Years Day may be cheaper.

A vote on the proposed data center in Howell Township scheduled for Monday night will not happen anymore.

That's after the rezoning request for the controversial plan was withdrawn, 7 News Detroit has learned.

The Howell data center would be built on farmland near Marr and Fleming roads. Community members have been telling us for weeks that they are worried about the strain it could put on existing utilities.

Watch Faraz's story in the video player below Happening Today: Vote on proposed AI data center rezoning in Howell Township

An undisclosed developer wants to build a brand-new, $1 billion Howell Township AI data center for an unnamed Fortune 100 company on 1,000 acres of farmland.

Howell Township resident Richie Kamenski, like many others, is against the data center's construction. He's lived there for 17 years and said it'll disturb the peace.

I moved out here quiet, ya know, got out of the city to move here. Just retired and now I got me a data center," Kamenski said. Ya know, we dont want it. Bottom line, we dont want it.

Township residents have attended multiple public meetings about the data center over the past few months. They've voiced concerns about potential noise, pollution, and an excessive water and electricity strain.

I wasnt sure of what to expect," said Howell resident Aaron Currie. "But, as answers started to be developed, it just didnt look like a good fit for the Howell community.

Mike Vogt is an attorney who represents the undisclosed developer.

This thing is being designed and developed in a way to minimize any potential impacts," Vogt said. "But if there was an issue, we're the funds upfront so the township will never have to come out of pocket to enforce its regulations or to enforce its conditions that we're proposing.

Vogt said the developer thoroughly addressed the top three concerns for residents:

The data center's water will run on a closed-loop system, and won't strain other property owners They'll initiate a property value protection plan. Homeowners living within 1,000 feet can sell their home to the developers for the appraised value, plus one percent. There's also a provision for residents living within 2,500 feet. A developer-funded escrow account will pay the township and residents legal or other fees if issues arise.

The board meeting is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. tonight at the Rod Bushey Performing Arts Center.

Watch our previous coverage Howell Township data center informational meeting held Howell Township Planning Commission recommends to deny rezoning land for controversial data center Breaking Update: Howell Township Planning Commissionn denies re-zoning land for controversial data center Howell Township board votes to approve moratorium on data centers for 6 months

Per unofficial results, Voters in Hamtramck have elected a new mayor, with engineer Adam Alharbi, a political newcomer, receiving 2,009 votes, beating city councilman Muhith Mahmood by just 11 votes.

This was a mayoral race so many people were watching after one of the most controversial years in the city's history, which has included recent residency fraud allegations and absentee ballot fraud charges on the city council, as well as departures of the Police Chief and City Manager.

Watch our coverage from Ryan Marshall & Demetrios Sanders Adam Alharbi elected mayor of Hamtramck after winning by just 11 votes Hamtramck voters electing a new mayor

Alharbi declared victory on his official Facebook page last night. However, because these are the unofficial results, we can't say for sure what the city clerk will do next with such a tight margin.

Both candidates are vying for the open mayor's seat, vacated by outgoing mayor Amer Ghalib, who was recently nominated by President Donald Trump to be the U.S. Ambassador to Kuwait.

Alharbi is a political newcomer who was previously Ghalib's campaign manager. We talked to voters about the issues most important to them, regardless of who the next mayor is.

I think we need some qualified people, who have the qualifications, who deserves those qualifications," one voter said.

There are many problems in Hamtramck," another voter said. "If it rains too much, it floods in houses. And too much high taxes on houses."

I just want it to be a fair election. If its fair, you cant go wrong," another voter said.

Whoever officially becomes the next mayor will have a lot of things to clean up in a city that's seen several controversies over the last few years. You have to believe that restoring credibility and moving forward in a positive direction will be the new mayor's top priority.

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