Twenty people hospitalized for flu in Wisconsin, 1st H3N2v ‘swine flu’ case reported
by Robert Herriman
Outbreaknewstoday.com
October 24, 2014
At least 20 people, including the elderly and children, have been hospitalized for seasonal influenza already this year in Wisconsin, prompting state health officials to advise residents to get flu shots.
“The best way to help protect yourself from complications that can be caused by the flu, such as pneumonia or hospitalization, is to get the flu vaccine,” said Karen McKeown, State Health Officer. “At this point in the flu season, we normally have one or two people who have been hospitalized due to seasonal influenza; however, this year 20 people have already been hospitalized. We are monitoring the situation and getting the word out about the importance of being vaccinated.
“By getting a flu shot, you are not only protecting yourself, you are also protecting loved ones who may be in a high-risk group,” McKeown said.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, everyone aged six months and older should be vaccinated annually.
Flu season for Wisconsin generally runs from late October to May, with peak activity around late January or early February.
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