11-22-13 flu season early

State and local health officials say the flu season is starting earlier than usual in Wisconsin.  Fifteen people have been hospitalized so far across the state. About half are in Milwaukee County. Twenty-five flu cases have been confirmed statewide.  Fond du lac County Public Health Officer Kim Mueller says there has only been one flu cases confirmed locally.  Mueller says there's plenty of flu vaccine available.  Last year's flu season peaked in late December and was the earliest in nearly a decade. Usually, the flu season doesn't peak until late January or early February.  No flu-related hospitalizations were reported in Wisconsin before January during the 2010 and 2011 seasons.