Flu outbreak in the Fox Cities

MENASHA - The flu season has struck and it's not wasting any time.

According to Affinity Health System, Wisconsin has had 2,800 confirmed cases of influenza since October, 760 of those patients were hospitalized.  This means respiratory flu, which comes with chills, fever, head and body aches.  And Kurt Eggebrect with the Appleton Health Department told FOX 11 Northeast Wisconsin is suffering most.

We seem to jump out ahead of the rest of the state.  We're having high levels, both with cases and hospitalizations and that's unique too this early in the season," said Eggebrecht.

"In the valley, in our system in particular, we're averaging about 60 confirmed cases a week at this point.  Last year at this time it was about 11 cases a week," said  Dr. Mark Kehrberg the Chief Medical Officer for Affinity.  He told FOX 11 so far area hospitals have enough staff and beds to cover flu patients, but they're not taking any chances.

"Theda and Aurora and we are talking about what's going on on a regular basis," said Kehrberg.

And it's hitting schools too.

"Our schools throughout the area have, for a couple of weeks already, experienced high levels of absenteeism," said Eggebrecht.

So stay safe: cover coughs and sneezes, wash your hands and visit the doctor if you show symptoms.

And don't forget: "there's plenty of time to get the vaccine and we encourage you to get it if you haven't," explained Dr. Kehrberg and please stay home if you are sick.

In addition to worries about the flu, doctors say there are high numbers of pneumonia and norovirus patients

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