Brittany Braun

04/17/2015
Mutated Flu Outbreak

WAUKESHA, WIS.- While the month of December is typically accompanied by a national flu outbreak,
this year the 2014-2015 season generated one of the worst strains of the influenza virus in which no one
was prepared for. Not even the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
According to the Washington Post, a statement made by the CDC in 2014 said the influenza
vaccine the Center administered nationwide for the year was not able to protect the public against the
dominant strain of the flu commonly seen. This was due to the virus aggressively mutating away from the
previous years flu without the CDCs knowledge. It was after this acknowledgment that the CDC
officially confirmed in Dec. that there was an influenza epidemic occurring throughout the United States.
By the CDC dispensing a vaccine that was less effective, an increase in those who contracted the
illness over the year occurred. In Wisconsin alone, the flu season officially began Sept. 28, 2014, and that
was one of the earliest recorded months the virus had broken out compared to previous state records. This
new strain put over 20 people from several surrounding Milwaukee suburbs, such as Waukesha, in the
hospital for severe flu-like symptoms in the first week of the season, according to the Wisconsin
Department of Health Services Database.
The flu virus this year not only started fairly early, but it also escalated very rapidly. Faster than I
have previously seen, which put Wisconsins flu activity above the baseline in how many individuals
reported having the virus statewide this year, Kami Viney, Vaccination Health Official for the
Department of Health Services told us.
In 2014-2015 there was an increases in the influenza type B activity, which is an uncommon
strain. In previous years, even last, the flu virus that was reported and expected for the following season
was the H3N2 strain. However, for 2014-2015, 98 percent of reported flu cases were type B. That was
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why when the flu broke out this season the CDC was unprepared with not having the right vaccination
strain readily available.
There were over 4,240 cases of the flu in the state of Wisconsin reported this season, and a
majority were associated with hospitalizations. Compared to the 2012-2013 flu season there was an
increase of 2,235 individuals who reported having the flu, according to the CDCs Database. Overall, this
showed there was an increase in how many cases of the illness were reported this season compared to
previous years.
On Carroll Universitys campus so far, there have
been more students than average pouring into the
Student Health Center with case definition
symptoms, from the CDC, for having the flu.
Despite this occurrence though, all of us here at the
health center were prepared to fight the virus head
on this year, Pam Dolata, Family Nurse Practitioner
and Health Center Coordinator at Carroll University
stated.
In the 2014 fall semester at Carroll, over 26 students
on campus met the CDCs definition of having the flu. These individuals had a fever above 100 degrees F,
along with a cough or sore throat. There were another 30 students that had flu like symptoms without a
documented fever due to a lot of students not having thermometers off campus, Dolata said. These
students reported having chills and felt feverish, but had no record of high temperatures.
I can not begin to stress to students how important getting the flu shot yearly is. Due to the flu
virus changing often there are many implications that come from this virus. If not treated properly or if
prevention is not taken seriously then this virus often becomes a fatal attraction, Kristin Kastner, Adult
Nurse Practitioner at Carroll University said.
The flu vaccine is the best protection against influenza viruses and the complications that may
follow. Flu vaccines not only help protect an individual from catching the illness, but it also prevents the

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virus from spreading to one person to another. If not treated, the influenza can lead to pneumonia and may
also make existing medical conditions worse, such as asthma.
According to the Wisconsin Academy of Family Physicians Database, 25 people died this flu
season from the virus in the Waukesha area and surrounding suburbs, which was the second highest
amount of influenza related deaths in the region.
Since the chances of catching the flu were at a higher rate this year, along with the complications
being greater than before, the Student Health Center at Carroll increased their efforts to bring awareness
to students in how important flu vaccinations are through emails sent to students and staff about getting
the flu shot, along with flyers hung up around campus surrounding this information.
With a high moral, the Health Center administered over 320 flu vaccines during the 2014 fall
semester on Carrolls campus, Dolata told us.
Although the flu season ended April 4 this year, it does not mean it is too late to get vaccinated
for next years string of flu outbreaks. Carrolls Student Health Center, located in the lower level of New
Hall, room 019 next to the Oak Room is always administering flu vaccinations to students who still need
their shot. Dont wait until you end up with the flu, head over to the Health Center at Carroll University to
protect yourself from this potentially fatal virus. Or you can visit the Center for Disease Control and
Preventions flu and vaccination page for more information.
Keywords: Carroll University, Health Center, Flu, Influenza, Vaccination, Virus, Vaccine

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