State health officials report flu-related emergency room visits 5 times above alert threshold

WASHINGTON STATE — With flu season in full swing, new statewide data reveals a recent increase in flu-related hospitalizations and emergency room visits compared to previous seasons.

Snohomish County recently reported its first two flu-related deaths of the season, with public health officials saying the following:

Local emergency departments are also seeing higher numbers of flu visits, nearly five times the threshold that would alert authorities to increased transmission; twice as high as what was reported during the same week in 2024.

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According to the Washington Department of Health, flu hospitalizations have been increasing statewide since November.

“The flu is still a problem. It came later, but now it’s here, and there is no lost opportunity to get vaccinated,” said Dr. Paul Thottingal, senior director of communicable diseases and influenza. organizational readiness at Kaiser Permanente.

The recent rise in flu hospitalizations and emergency room visits is typical for this time of year, health experts say. Dr. Thottingal noted: “Over the last couple of years, we’ve seen the flu start earlier and peak quite early. So typically, before the pandemic, flu season was somewhere between late December and early March, and it’s a little bit earlier this year than in previous years during the pandemic.

Doctors point out that January and February are generally the worst months for the flu, although in this region the season can extend into March and April. Dr. Ana Weil, an infectious disease physician at UW Medicine, explained, “There are year-to-year differences in influenza infections. These may be due to vaccination rates. They may be due, more importantly, to the strain that is circulating. in a given year. »

Pediatric influenza activity has also been high in recent weeks. Doctors at Seattle Children’s Hospital advise that if children have difficulty breathing or if a fever persists for more than a few days, it may be time to see a doctor. Dr. Sara Vora, pediatric infectious disease specialist at Seattle Children’s, said, “If kids aren’t staying hydrated and taking fluids for toddlers or babies, you can look at how many wet diapers they have.” so if it drops significantly, it may be a sign that they are dehydrated.

While hospital visits for the flu are increasing, state data indicates that flu vaccinations are down slightly this season, which could be contributing to the increase. Dr. Weil suggested that “vaccine fatigue is a possible reason.” After, you know, the COVID-19 period, where people were more accustomed to getting vaccinated frequently, I think some of the enthusiasm might be less, which I find unfortunate.”

Health care professionals are urging those who have not yet received their flu vaccine to do so, especially as the season progresses and other viruses like RSV and COVID-19 also see an increase.