GREEN BAY, Wis. — According to the CDC, flu activity is elevated nationally. But in Wisconsin, experts say flu activity is low so far. Wisconsin health officials say while the flu season is currently mild, it hasn't reached its peak yet.
According to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services, from the beginning of the flu season in September to now, they've seen 32 people hospitalized with the flu in northeast Wisconsin.
Officials say six of those cases were in brown county, one in Winnebago County, three in Outagamie County and two in the city of Appleton. Most of these hospitalizations have been young children.
Public Health Officer for Brown County, Anna Destree, says the number one way to prevent the flu is by getting vaccinated. She adds that many times the season peaks around January and February, so it is not too late to get the flu shot.
"It's important people still get their flu vaccines if they have not gotten it,” Destree explains. “Because we could reach that step where maybe we're mild right now, but we're going to hit that peak, or we are going to rise and hit that peak next month. We don't know."
Destree says other tips to try to avoid getting the flu include staying home if you're sick, avoiding those who are sick, washing your hands often, covering sneezes and coughs with your elbow and throwing away used tissues immediately.
Health officials urge everyone to get the flu vaccine, especially young children, the elderly and pregnant women, who are all the most susceptible to getting sick.
