WISCONSIN — Cases of respiratory illness are expected to spike in Wisconsin after a record-breaking number of Wisconsinites traveled to celebrate Thanksgiving with loved ones. According to the Department of Health Services (DHS) cases were relatively low heading into the holiday.

What You Need To Know

  • The Wisconsin Department of Health Services said it expects cases of respiratory illnesses to rise after Thanksgiving

  • According to DHS, there have already been several outbreaks in congruous settings such as assisted living, long-term care and nursing facilities

  • The CDC is predicting this will be a milder flu season 

  • DHS reported Wisconsin is running behind in its influenza vaccination rate, which experts said could increase the severity of illness in the state 

DHS respiratory disease epidemiologist Tom Haupt said there was a slight increase in respiratory illness cases leading up to the break. There have also been increases since the holiday.

“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.

DHS also reported an increase in hospitalization rates over the past few 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.”  

According to Haupt, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is projecting this will be a milder influenza season. That’s based on different factors, including expected vaccination rates.

Haupt said Wisconsin is running a little behind again this year when it comes to influenza vaccination rates. He warned “that could change the modeling and increase the severity of the illness season this year.”

Haupt recommended people get vaccinated to protect themselves during the holiday season.  

Watch the full interview above.

Related Stories