Seasonal flu is on the rise in Central Oregon and the state, but it had been fairly quiet until two weeks ago when the percentage of positive flu tests rose, according to a report by the Deschutes County Health Services.

In fact, Oregon is one of two states in the country with very high flu activity, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In Central Oregon, 16.3% of the flu tests came back positive during the week of Dec. 8-14, said Emily Horton, Deschutes County Health Services preparedness and engagement program manager. In Oregon it was 28.8% for the week of Dec. 15-21, according to the Oregon Health Authority.

The national percentage of positive flu test results was 9% for the same time period, according to the health report.

The flu is not nearly as widespread in Central Oregon as it was in the 2022-2023 seasonal flu season, when the number of positive cases was nearly 30%. Flu season runs from October through May.

“The flu is definitely on the rise,” Horton said. “Compared to last year we’re peaking later. We are experiencing a lot of flu in the past few weeks.”

It is unknown if the trend will continue, but most likely it will, Horton said. Flu and other respiratory viruses tend to increase during periods of travel and when people move indoors.

Flu prevention tips

Flu prevention tips

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends these tips to prevent getting the flu. They are:

Get the flu vaccine.

Avoid people who are sick. Putting physical distance between yourself and others can help lower the risk.

Cover your mouth and nose when sneezing or coughing.

Wash your hands to stop the spread of germs.

Stay home when you are sick. You can resume your normal activities when for at least 24 hours your symptoms are better, or the fever has not been present without any medication.

“It’s to be expected that the flu levels will be pretty high about now,” Horton said. “The number of people getting vaccinated continues to decline year over year since 2020. That increases the risk of getting the flu.”

The number of COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, cases is low at the moment, but that too could change, Horton said.

The flu vaccination doesn’t eliminate the risk of flu, but will definitely reduce the severity, said Horton.

According to the county report, there were 31 emergency department visits for the flu in Deschutes County, 18 in Crook County and 17 in Jefferson, an increase in all three counties for the week of Dec. 15. When looking at the population percentages, most of the visits are among those 65 and older, according to the health report.

Besides getting a seasonal flu vaccine, hand washing is a good preventative tool, Horton said.

“No one wants to be sick over the holidays,” Horton said. “No one wants to spend the day in bed. There are things, though, that you can do to protect yourself. Hand washing when you come home from some place public out and about, is one of the easiest things to do.”