Flu visits to Milwaukee area hospitals drop

MILWAUKEE (AP) - Health officials say Milwaukee area hospitals are seeing a drop in flu-related visits to the emergency room.

The City of Milwaukee Health Department recorded a decrease in hospital emergency department visits for influenza-like illness over the past week.

So far, 280 hospitalizations in the city have been reported to the Milwaukee Health Department compared with 93 a year ago. Hospitalizations remain highest for people ages 65 and above and younger than 1 year old.

Officials say while emergency department visits are declining in Milwaukee, there may be a rise in reported hospitalizations during coming weeks due to a lag in reporting from hospitals.

Health officials urge residents to help prevent the spread of flu as the season continues. They say it's not too late to get vaccinated.