MONROE - Green County is currently seeing "two to three times" the number of influenza-related hospitalizations compared to the past two flu seasons, according to Green County Health Department Director RoAnn Warden.
Through Thursday, 16 Green County residents had been hospitalized due to the flu since Nov. 1, Warden said, with the peak occurring at the end of December and early January. Though hospitalizations have slowed over the past week, it is "too soon to tell" if that trend will continue, she said.
"It hit a little bit earlier than usual," Warden said of the flu season. "Normally we don't see the flu hitting until maybe January, and we were seeing cases in early December."
Monroe Clinic reported Thursday that since Christmas, the hospital has "consistently" had about two or three influenza-related hospitalizations at a time. Monroe Clinic has had 18 hospitalizations related to the flu since November, according to an email from Leslie Schmidt, Monroe Clinic marketing specialist.
A report released this week from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention says 43 states are reporting "widespread" levels of flu.
Warden said Wisconsin is currently seeing three times the percentage of patients hospitalized for flu compared to the national average, which has primarily impacted the elderly population, though she said state numbers may be impacted by other factors and are subject to change.
"It could even be that Wisconsin is better at reporting (flu hospitalizations)," Warden said. "We're keeping a close eye on the situation."
The state recorded its first flu-related child death of the season after a 12-year-old Milwaukee girl died on Jan. 1.
Monroe Clinic has implemented visitor restrictions, per CDC guidelines, to prevent influenza in a hospital setting, according to a news release from Thursday. Guidelines include that all visitors showing signs of respiratory illness are asked to postpone visiting loved ones; visitors should use hand sanitizer and masks when appropriate; visitors are asked to contact primary care providers for information about flu vaccines; and limitations on the number of visitors for patients in influenza isolation.
Warden said people showing signs of the flu - fever, cough, body aches - should stay home from social events, regularly wash their hands and rest.
"We know this year the strain we're seeing predominately circulate is adrift of the strain that was used in the vaccine," Warden said. "It's not too late to vaccinate. Vaccination covers additional strains of flu that we certainly may see yet this season, so I would encourage anyone who hasn't vaccinated, to vaccinate."
Through Thursday, 16 Green County residents had been hospitalized due to the flu since Nov. 1, Warden said, with the peak occurring at the end of December and early January. Though hospitalizations have slowed over the past week, it is "too soon to tell" if that trend will continue, she said.
"It hit a little bit earlier than usual," Warden said of the flu season. "Normally we don't see the flu hitting until maybe January, and we were seeing cases in early December."
Monroe Clinic reported Thursday that since Christmas, the hospital has "consistently" had about two or three influenza-related hospitalizations at a time. Monroe Clinic has had 18 hospitalizations related to the flu since November, according to an email from Leslie Schmidt, Monroe Clinic marketing specialist.
A report released this week from the Center for Disease Control and Prevention says 43 states are reporting "widespread" levels of flu.
Warden said Wisconsin is currently seeing three times the percentage of patients hospitalized for flu compared to the national average, which has primarily impacted the elderly population, though she said state numbers may be impacted by other factors and are subject to change.
"It could even be that Wisconsin is better at reporting (flu hospitalizations)," Warden said. "We're keeping a close eye on the situation."
The state recorded its first flu-related child death of the season after a 12-year-old Milwaukee girl died on Jan. 1.
Monroe Clinic has implemented visitor restrictions, per CDC guidelines, to prevent influenza in a hospital setting, according to a news release from Thursday. Guidelines include that all visitors showing signs of respiratory illness are asked to postpone visiting loved ones; visitors should use hand sanitizer and masks when appropriate; visitors are asked to contact primary care providers for information about flu vaccines; and limitations on the number of visitors for patients in influenza isolation.
Warden said people showing signs of the flu - fever, cough, body aches - should stay home from social events, regularly wash their hands and rest.
"We know this year the strain we're seeing predominately circulate is adrift of the strain that was used in the vaccine," Warden said. "It's not too late to vaccinate. Vaccination covers additional strains of flu that we certainly may see yet this season, so I would encourage anyone who hasn't vaccinated, to vaccinate."