Wisconsin Seasonal Flu Cases Edge Up

State health officials say they’ve seen an uptick in flu cases in recent weeks, with 95 cases serious enough to require hospitalization.

Most of those patients were older, according to Thomas Haupt, a respiratory epidemiologist with the Wisconsin Department of Health Services who serves as the state’s influenza surveillance coordinator.

“That’s very typical of the type of virus that’s circulating,” Haupt said. “Its called the influenza A H3 virus, which historically affects older adults more so than younger adults, compared to last year when the H1 virus actually affected younger adults more so.”

Haupt said people should get a flu shot not only to protect themselves but to protect vulnerable populations such as infants and the elderly.

“You don’t want to go into the nursing homes if you’re not feeling well,” he said. “People might think they maybe have just a slight cold or something and nobody dies from a cold. Well, respiratory viruses can affect the elderly very harshly. So we want people to get protected we want people to use good common sense.

Haupt said current vaccine supplies are adequate and it looks to be a good match. Last year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention determined the vaccine was 47 percent effective. Flu strains change and the vaccine isn’t always a good match; some years its better than others.

Meanwhile, University of Wisconsin-Madison researchers are seeking ways to make the seasonal flu vaccine more effective.