Wisconsin Flu Cases, Hospitalizations Spike

MADISON, Wis. (AP) — The flu is pounding Wisconsin.

State health officials say they're seeing a dramatic spike in cases and hospitalizations. Department of Health Services spokeswoman Claire Smith says as of the end of the day Jan. 4, the state had seen 2,837 cases. That's about 800 more cases than the state saw during the entire 2011-12 flu season.

Smith says as of the end of the day Thursday the department had taken reports of 1,360 flu-associated hospitalizations. That compares with 389 during all of last season.

One child has died, although Smith notes the state doesn't track influenza-related deaths in adults.

She says the state still has an ample supply of flu vaccine.

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