From Wisconsin Division of Public Health:
Wisconsin Department of Health Services memo on Routine Childhood Vaccine Schedule Recommendations
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/dph/memos/communicable-diseases/bcd-2026-01.pdf
Influenza is very high and rising significantly in Wisconsin. Rates of influenza-like illnesses (ILI) in Wisconsin outpatients are high and increasing.
CDC estimates that there have been at least 11,000,000 illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths from flu so far this season. Across the U.S. there were 23,271 (32.9%) influenza detections at clinical laboratories, from the 70,757 specimens collected last week. Of detected influenza viruses at public health laboratories last week, 97.7% were influenza A and 2.3% were influenza B. Among influenza A viruses, 91.2% were H3, 8.8% were H1, and 0% were H5. Of genotyped viruses, 90.5% of AH3 viruses are from subclade K. Overall, subclade K comprises 81% of influenza viruses. CDC has reported current match estimates between circulating and vaccine strains for this season (H3: 5%; H1: 98%; B: 67%). The percentage of primary care patients with influenza-like illness (ILI) is 8.2% and is at an extremely high level. ILI activity is very high in 30 states; high in 15 states, moderate in 2 states, and low in 2 states; Wisconsin has high levels. One additional pediatric death has been reported. Nine pediatric deaths due to influenza A have been reported for the 2025-2026 season to date; with one death in Wisconsin.
6.7% of all deaths during week 52 (Dec. 21-27, 2025) were due to pneumonia, influenza, or COVID-19, and below the seasonal epidemic threshold.
The use of rapid influenza testing is reasonable at this time based on increasing levels of circulating virus. Positive results do not need confirmation. Use of rapid COVID-19 testing is reasonable, and positive results do not need confirmation.
https://www.cdc.gov/flu/hcp/antivirals/summary-clinicians.html
Antiviral treatment is recommended as soon as possible for any patient with suspected or confirmed influenza who:
Decisions about starting antivirals for patients with suspected influenza should not wait for laboratory confirmation. Empiric antiviral treatment should be started as soon as possible in the above priority groups. Clinicians can consider early empiric antiviral treatment of non-higher-risk outpatients with suspected influenza based upon clinical judgment if treatment can be initiated within 48 hours of illness onset.
Antiviral Drug Options
The most common viral cause of acute respiratory infections in Wisconsin primary care practices is influenza A. For the week ending December 27, 2025, 6.1% of 15,112 specimens tested across Wisconsin and compiled by the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene were positive for SARS-CoV-2. The most commonly identified gastopathogen is norovirus.
Over the past 4 weeks the typical ARI case has been 37.5 years old; 71% of patients have been female. 24% of patients identified a sick contact 1-3 days before illness onset and they typically present to the clinic 5.2 days after illness onset. 42% of illnesses are characterized as mild, with 53% having moderate symptoms and 5% having severe symptoms.
| Viruses in Circulation | Percent* in statewide laboratory surveillance | Percent** in primary care surveillance clinics |
|---|---|---|
| Influenza A | 78.9 | 63 |
| Influenza B | 1.6 | 13 |
| Seasonal Coronavirus*** | 0.3 | 0 |
| RSV | 2.7 | 0 |
| Parainfluenza | 0.5 | 0 |
| hMPV | 0.5 | 0 |
| Rhino/Enterovirus | 3.1 | 25 |
| Adenovirus | 0.3 | 0 |
| Bocavirus | 0.0 | 0 |
| SARS-CoV | 37.5 | 0 |
*estimate based on WSLH statewide data
** estimate based on primary care patients seen at five clinics and 1 urgent care in Dane County
*** includes HKU1, NL63, 229E and OC43
Wisconsin: The 7-day average rate for patients hospitalized for COVID-19 in Wisconsin is 2.5/100,000. This compares to rates for influenza 10.6/100,000 and RSV at 0.5/100,000.
COVID-19 Vaccine: Across Wisconsin, 648,421 individuals (10.9% of the population) have received the updated 2025/2026 COVID-19 vaccine.
COVID-19 Wastewater Surveillance: COVID-19 levels for Wisconsin are low and increasing.
Please refer to guidance provided by Wisconsin Department of Health Services, available at:
https://www.dhs.wisconsin.gov/covid-19/providers.htm
and by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, available at:
* The weekly influenza update is adapted from an email from Jon Temte, MD, PhD; Chair, Wisconsin Council on Immunization Practices; Professor, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, University of Wisconsin School of Medicine and Public Health.
