As new ‘superflu’ hits other states hard, Oregon is doing relatively well
Oregon Public Broadcasting - OPB••health
Key Points:
- A new influenza A H3N2 variant is causing a surge in flu cases nationwide, with 11 million infections, 120,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths reported by the CDC, marking one of the worst flu seasons in 20 years.
- In Oregon, flu activity is increasing but remains less severe than last year, with hospitalizations in the Portland metro area at 31 for the week ending Dec. 27 compared to 146 during the same period last year.
- State health officials expect flu hospitalizations to rise in the coming weeks but do not currently see signs of unusual severity or a repeat of last year's record numbers.
- Vaccination rates in Oregon have declined by nearly 3% compared to last year
