FYI / Division of Public Health (DPH) Update - Widespread Influenza Activity Continues in Wisconsin

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Division of Quality Assurance: Notifications & Updates

Attn: All Regulated Health Care Providers

FYI / Division of Public Health (DPH) Update - Widespread Influenza Activity Continues in Wisconsin

Please see the Wisconsin Influenza activity update.

Influenza activity in Wisconsin reached peak in early February 2018. Although we are past the peak of activity, influenza activity remains high and likely will remain high for many more weeks. At this time influenza A/H3 has been the predominant virus identified in Wisconsin. The recent increase in the identification of influenza A/H1N1 and influenza B may lead to an extended influenza season, similar to the 2016-17 influenza season which continued until May of 2017.

Surveillance both nationally and in Wisconsin, has identified that over 90% of influenza B viruses currently circulating are of the B/Yamagata lineage. The B/Yamagata lineage viruses are a component of the 2017-18 quadrivalent influenza vaccine, but not the trivalent vaccine. Individuals who received the trivalent vaccine, especially those over 65 years of age who received the trivalent “high-dose” influenza vaccine may have little to no protection against the influenza B/Yamagata lineage virus.

For questions regarding influenza surveillance, or the use of influenza antiviral medications, please contact the DPH Communicable Diseases Epidemiology Section at 608-267-9003.