The state’s 2024-2025 influenza season is the worst since Oregon Health Authority began tracking the virus 15 years ago, with people continuing to be hospitalized at a time of the year when statewide influenza activity traditionally begins winding down, health officials say.

That means it’s still not too late for people to get the influenza vaccine, particularly as Oregon could see a late-season uptick in flu incidence of the virus as it has in recent years.

“This has been a year of very high flu activity,” said Dean Sidelinger, M.D., M.S.Ed., health officer and state epidemiologist at OHA. “We want to remind people that there is still a lot of flu out there and to get their flu shots. Spread of flu can be unpredictable, and we often see another peak late in winter.”

Influenza is a contagious, respiratory tract infection caused by influenza viruses. Symptoms of influenza may include fever, cough, sore throat, stuffy and runny nose, muscle aches, headache and fatigue. Influenza can cause mild to severe illness, including hospitalization and death.

OHA releases weekly information on the flu season in FluBites, and information can also be found on Oregon’s Respiratory Virus Data dashboard.

OHA data show that fewer people are getting flu shots. Vaccinations are down 4% from last year and it has been steadily dropping since 2022. “We would like 100% of people to be vaccinated to prevent the risk of severe disease, but we’ve seen the vaccination rate slip,” said Paul Cieslak, M.D., medical director for communicable diseases and immunizations at OHA’s Public Health Division.

Certain groups, including older adults, young children, pregnant people and people with certain health conditions, are at higher risk for serious complications from influenza. The hospitalization rate is highest for people 65 and older.

In recent years, the agency has bolstered its tracking of communicable diseases, including influenza, with the development and modernization of data reporting tools, such as an interactive, web-based dashboard that visualizes data on COVID-19, influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). The dashboard’s data are organized by community transmission, hospitalizations, hospital capacity, deaths and vaccination.

Increasing awareness and education about primary prevention, public health risks and preventive health services are among actions OHA is taking as part of its 2024-2027 Strategic Plan. The plan further supports expanding access to vaccines and other health resources for children, parents and families in all communities in Oregon.

Source: Oregon Health Authority