Emergency room visits for influenza have reached “very high” levels across the United States, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). This year’s flu season, which aligns closely with the 2019-2020 timeline, has caused a significant spike in cases, particularly in Western states. Health systems nationwide are closely monitoring the situation as they adapt to this season’s unique challenges.
Late Flu Surge Mirrors Pre-Pandemic Trends
Unlike the early flu waves seen in the past two years, this season’s surge arrived later, peaking around the New Year. This trend marks a return to patterns observed before the COVID-19 pandemic. However, the intensity of the current wave surpasses last year’s peak in many regions.
Oregon, for instance, recorded 8.4% of emergency room visits attributed to flu by the end of December. This figure is more than triple last year’s peak. Health facilities in the state treated 1,101 flu cases in November and December of 2024, a sharp rise from 251 cases during the same period in 2023.
Read: Gaza Healthcare Faces Collapse Amid Ongoing Conflict
Western States Hit Hardest
Several Western states report flu levels exceeding the highest peaks recorded last winter. Daily patient tallies for influenza have reached record highs at many hospitals, though the overall strain on health systems remains manageable.
Sara Hottman, a spokesperson for Oregon Health & Science University Hospital, emphasized that despite the surge, the region is not experiencing the crisis standards of care seen during the 2022-2023 “tripledemic” of flu, RSV, and COVID-19.
Tripledemic Unlikely This Year
Experts predict that a repeat of the tripledemic is unlikely this season. While influenza cases are surging, COVID-19 levels are only now beginning to increase in parts of the country. The CDC’s latest modeling suggests this winter’s COVID-19 wave will likely be less severe than previous surges.
Updated data indicates that most COVID-19 infections are caused by the XEC variant, which is closely related to earlier strains. Meanwhile, the LP.8.1 strain, which some experts have monitored closely, remains responsible for less than 10% of cases.
COVID-19 Trends Remain Modest
COVID-19 levels have only recently crossed into “high” territory nationwide, as reflected in the CDC’s wastewater surveillance data. The Midwest reports the worst levels, though these remain significantly below last winter’s peak.
Indiana currently leads the Midwest in the percentage of emergency room visits linked to COVID-19. However, these visits represent only a fraction of flu-related cases and remain far below the peaks experienced during the pandemic.
Vigilance and Preparedness
As flu cases climb, health systems continue to focus on preparedness and public health measures. Vaccination, early detection, and timely treatment remain critical tools for managing the seasonal burden.
The flu surge serves as a reminder of the importance of proactive healthcare planning. By learning from past experiences, health authorities aim to navigate this season with greater resilience and readiness, ensuring that communities remain protected against respiratory viruses.
Follow Day News on Google News, Instagram, YouTube, Facebook, Whats App, and TikTok for latest updates
