Flu cases on the rise in Southeast Wisconsin heading into Christmas
iStock.com/bymuratdeniz MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) – Some people are trading in their hot cocoa this holiday season for cold medicine. Flu cases are increasing in Southeast Wisconsin, according to the Wisconsin Department of Health Services (DHS).
According to the DHS Respiratory Data, respiratory illness activity, specifically with influenza, is at moderate levels and increasing in Southeast Wisconsin.
Dr. Jim Conway at UW Health says there’s a new strain of the flu that is particularly infectious going around. The new strain is a variation of influenza A. Technically, it’s called the K subclade of influenza A’s H3N2 subtype, and it makes up a majority of the H3N2 cases we’re seeing right now.
“It’s a little bit of a combination of a bad strain, very contagious, a little bit unusual that we haven’t had these kinds of strains, and our influenza vaccination rates are lower than they’ve been in a long time,” Conway says. “That combination is sort of looking like we’re up against the perfect storm.”
While a case of the flu could make it harder to celebrate the holidays, things can turn very serious. Earlier this month, DHS confirmed the first pediatric respiratory illness-associated deaths of two children from Wisconsin for the 2025-2026 season. One death was a result of COVID-19, and the other was from influenza.
“I think people are used to little kids getting a runny nose/cough all the time, but influenza, particularly in kids that are unimmunized, can be really devastating,” Conway said.
Wisconsinites can take the following daily actions to help stop the spread of germs and increase protection against respiratory viruses:
- Wash hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds.
- Avoid touching their nose, eyes, and mouth.
- Stay home and away from others if feeling sick.
- Avoid being around others who are sick or have flu symptoms.
- Cover their nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing and encourage children to do the same.
- Wear a high-quality mask around others to prevent the spread of respiratory illness.
Find up-to-date information about respiratory illness activity for the current respiratory virus season on the DHS website.
