Nikhil Prasad Fact checked by:Thailand Medical News Team Mar 14, 2025 6 hours, 53 minutes ago
U.S. Medical News:
Flu Cases Surge to Record Highs Across the Oregon State
Oregon health officials have issued a stark warning as the state experiences its worst flu season in over 15 years. The Oregon Health Authority (OHA) has been tracking influenza activity for more than a decade, and this season has set alarming records. Cases continue to rise even though the flu season typically begins to subside around this time of year. Ironically, while many states are continuing to still see rise in influenza and other respiratory infections, certain Health agencies and officials are making false claims that the flu and respiratory infections have peaked and are starting to fall.
Oregon Faces Its Worst Flu Season in 15 Years
For the week ending March 8, 2025, influenza test positivity rates in Oregon stood at 13.6%.
https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/oregon.public.health.division.acute.and.communicable.disease.pre/viz/OregonsRespiratoryVirusData/TestPositivity
https://public.tableau.com/app/profile/oregon.public.health.division.acute.and.communicable.disease.pre/viz/OregonsRespiratoryVirusData/TableofContents
According to health experts, the severity of this year’s flu season has resulted in an increasing number of hospitalizations, particularly among vulnerable populations such as older adults, young children, pregnant individuals, and those with pre-existing health conditions. Despite these concerning trends, many Oregonians remain unvaccinated, which continues to fuel the spread of the virus.
Dr. Dean Sidelinger, health officer and state epidemiologist at OHA, emphasized the unpredictability of flu outbreaks. “This has been a year of very high flu activity. Spread of flu can be unpredictable, and we often see another peak late in winter,” he stated. This
U.S. Medical News report highlights the critical need for vaccination, especially as experts warn of a possible resurgence in cases in the coming weeks.
Declining Vaccination Rates Exacerbate the Crisis
Flu vaccination rates have steadily declined across Oregon since 2022, a troubling trend that has left many residents unprotected against the virus. According to OHA data, flu vaccine uptake has dropped by 4% compared to last year, and officials worry that continued hesitancy may contribute to the prolonged severity of this flu season.
Dr. Paul Cieslak, medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at OHA’s Public Health Division, stressed the importance of widespread vaccination. “We would like 100% of people to be vaccinated to prevent the risk of severe disease, but we’ve seen the vaccination rate slip,” he said.
As flu cases continue to burden hospitals, health experts urge the public to take preventive measures such as getting the flu shot, practicing good hygiene, and avoiding crowded places if feeling unwell. Flu symptoms, which include fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, muscle aches, headaches, and fatigue, can range from mild to severe. In extreme cases, influenza can lead to hospitalization or even death.
Flu-Related Hospitalizations Reach Concerning Levels
Oregon’s flu-related hospitalization rate has reached an all-time high. The cumulative hospitalization rate for the 2024-25 flu season currently stands at 84.8 per 100,000 people, surpassing the previous record of 84.1 per 100,000 set during the 2017-18 flu season. These numbers indicate the severe impact of this year’s flu strain, particularly among high-risk individuals.
“This is higher than any other season’s final cumulative hospitalization rate since Oregon began influenza-associated hospitalization surveillance in 2009-10,” said Public Health Communication Officer Erica Heartquist. Despite a slight decline in the percentage of positive flu cases from 15.8% to 13.6% in early March, hospitalizations remain alarmingly high. In the Portland area alone, there were 43 flu-related hospitalizations in the first week of March, down from 69 the previous week.
Strengthening Public Health Measures
In response to the severe flu season, OHA has intensified its public health initiatives, including modernizing data reporting tools to track communicable diseases more efficiently. The agency has launched a web-based dashboard that provides real-time updates on flu, COVID-19, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). This interactive tool offers data on community transmission, hospital capacity, deaths, and vaccination rates, allowing health officials to monitor and respond to outbreaks more effectively.
Additionally, OHA’s 2024-2027 Strategic Plan focuses on increasing access to vaccines and other health resources for all communities in Oregon. The plan emphasizes public education, awareness campaigns, and outreach efforts to ensure residents understand the importance of vaccination and preventive health services.
Conclusion
Oregon’s ongoing battle with the worst flu season in over a decade underscores the need for immediate public health action. With flu cases remaining high and hospitalizations reaching unprecedented levels, it is crucial for residents to take preventive measures such as getting vaccinated, practicing good hygiene, and staying informed.
Health officials continue to stress that it is not too late to receive the flu shot, as vaccination remains the most effective way to protect against severe illness and hospitalization. The public is encouraged to stay vigilant and proactive in safeguarding their health and the health of those around them.
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