Following a record-breaking number of Wisconsinites who went to celebrate Thanksgiving with loved ones, cases of respiratory disease are expected to surge in Wisconsin. The Department of Health Services (DHS) reports that going into the holiday, cases were rather low.
Tom Haupt, a DHS respiratory disease epidemiologist, noted that cases of respiratory sickness slightly rose before the break. Also rising since the holiday are
“We have had, unfortunately, a couple of instances of outbreaks in congruous settings like assisted living facilities, long-term care facilities and skilled nursing facilities,” Haupt said.
Additionally noted by DHS were rising hospitalization rates during the preceding three weeks.
“Nothing that would tell us we’re in the actual acceleration phase yet, but it’s starting to increase,” Haupt explained. “Influenza is definitely out there.”
Haupt says the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is predicting a milder influenza season. That is predicated on several elements, including predicted rates of immunization.
Regarding flu vaccination rates, Haupt claimed Wisconsin is going somewhat behind once more this year. He forewarned “that could change the modeling and increase the severity of the illness season this year.”
Haupt advised everyone to be vaccinated to guard against holiday season illnesses.