WI: Seasonal Flu cases skyrocket after quiet winter

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Flu virus stages late-season strike

Reported cases skyrocket after quiet winter

By Peerenboom, Greenbay press gazette

In one week's time, the number of flu cases in Wisconsin nearly

doubled — the first spike in an overall quiet year for the bug.

The number of reported cases jumped from 29 to 54 between Feb. 18 and

Feb. 25, according to a state report.

Last year, more than 100 cases had been reported by the end of

February, according to the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene.

" The incidence of flu is increasing. We were hoping it was going to

pass us, but it's not, " said Millett-Metzler, infection control

specialist at St. Hospital.

Mild weather has been credited with the delay of the flu season,

which usually starts in October, peaks in March, and can run as late

as May. When it's cold and people are cooped up indoors, it's easier

to spread germs.

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