State Health Officials Expect Long Flu Season in Wisconsin

The Wisconsin Department of Health Services is warning this will be one of the longest flu seasons in a while.  A new influenza A H-3 strain is currently affecting young and old people in the state.  D-H-S influenza coordinator Thomas Haupt says the average peak for flu activity is the first week in February, but he expects this season to extend through at least the end of March.  The H-3 type of virus is more powerful than influenza A H-3 strain that circulated earlier this season.  Haupt says H-3 is covered by this year’s vaccine and it’s not too late to get a flu shot.  There have been 36 influenza-related deaths in Wisconsin this season.