UW-Madison Flu Outbreak Confirmed as H1N1

As of Sept. 1, University Health Services (UHS) at UW-Madison began seeing a marked increase in patients with flu-like symptoms (including fever greater than 100 degrees F, and either cough or sore throat).

Preliminary results from surveillance cultures performed by the Wisconsin State Laboratory of Hygiene indicate that H1N1 is the predominant strain of influenza causing these symptoms. To date, 81 percent of the patient specimens have tested positive for H1N1, with testing yet to be completed on the rest.

"Based on our preliminary results and trends elsewhere in the state, it won't be surprising if 90 percent or more of these cases eventually come back as H1N1," says Craig Roberts, UHS epidemiologist.

Read more of this story and find the latest H1N1 updates at flu.wisc.edu.