Upcoming Flu Season - FOX 25/48 - WLAX/WEUX La Crosse & Eau Claire News

After a mild flu season last year, Wisconsin health officials say the upcoming flu season may pack a punch.

New strains of flu have already started circulating around and one of them is a new kind of swine flu.

The local health department says kids are the most at risk for getting the flu, but parents don't need to start avoiding zoos and fairs.

The recent outbreak has Tracy Crosby being extra careful at the petting zoo.

"I try to keep them as healthy as I can. We don't do flu shots and we've been pretty healthy. We're going to bank on that and hope for the best this year," said Crosby.

Chippewa County Public Health Director Jean Durch says the new swine flu strand is only being passed from pig to human.

"We have determined that there is an outbreak of a variation of the swine flu. Mostly effecting children and often associated with exposure to swine at fairs or animal shows," said Durch.

So far there have been no cases of swine flu reported in western Wisconsin but parents should still be cautious and make sure their kids wash their hands after being with farm animals.

Grandmother Gail Ream says she knows there are risks with taking her granddaughters to the zoo but says she'll make sure they wash up afterwards.

"I'm going to make sure they wash before they eat, after they see other animals, and after touching fencing because there are bacteria and viruses on them," said Ream.

Meanwhile, the regular flu season is expected to be more than just mild this year.

"It does tend to go in cycles and when you have a mild season it can be followed by a more severe outbreak season," said Durch.

As of right now there are no vaccinations that specifically target the recent stain of swine flu. But the health department does suggest getting a flu vaccination anyway and it could help reduce symptoms.