This week, the Deschutes County Health Department noted an upward trend in cases of the flu and whooping cough in Central Oregon, compared to previous years. Deschutes County Public Health program manager Dr. Rita Bacho shared the department’s most recent data on respiratory illnesses, along with vaccination rate trends in Central Oregon.
The most recent data, showing the week of Dec. 28, reported 28.6% flu positivity in Central Oregon, about 2% higher than the previous week.
“This is the highest test positivity Central Oregon has recorded so far this flu season,” Bacho told the Source Weekly.
Last season, the highest percentage it recorded was about 14%. Flu positivity this year is higher than it’s been in the previous two seasons, according to Bacho. She sees these numbers as a likely result of concluded COVID-19 protocols.
“Comparing this year to the previous two years, which were within the COVID-19 season, we are not surprised that we are seeing a higher test positivity, but 28.6% is quite high.”
With discontinued COVID-19 mandates, Bacho said, people are not masking and social distancing like they have in previous years, making it easier for people to get infected.
The health department is also seeing a significantly higher number of whooping cough cases in the region as well as the state. As of Dec. 19, Central Oregon has had about 61 cases.
“That’s about 10 times the number that we saw in 2023, so yes, we are very concerned about that because the vaccines are available and they are effective,” Bacho told the Source Weekly.
The state of Oregon has also seen a major increase in whooping cough cases, reporting 1,105 cases in 2024. That was the highest single-year case count since 1950, when Oregon reported 1,420 cases, according to a press release from the Oregon Health Authority on Jan. 2.
While the flu and whooping cough are different, both infections can cause similar symptoms, such as a fever, chills, body aches, headaches and coughing. Both can result in severe illnesses.
While Bacho noted that they typically see an increase in whooping cough cases every five years, this year has had a higher percentage due to lower vaccination rates. The last increase in whooping cough, which Bacho said was not as significant as this year, was in 2019.
Many of the whooping cough cases in Central Oregon have been seen among unvaccinated individuals, which Bacho says is a “needless risk.” More vaccinations would help reduce the burden. The health department has seen a decline in vaccination rates among all vaccines since 2020.
“Getting a vaccine doesn’t only protect the one getting the vaccine, but it also protects their families, friends, loved ones and everyone around them,” said Bacho. “We do believe that is one of the biggest factors for the increases in respiratory diseases, because all of these diseases are avoidable.”
According to a press release from Central Oregon Public Health, 26% of Deschutes County residents have been vaccinated for the flu as of Dec. 11.
While other respiratory illnesses have increased this season, the health department has seen a decline in positivity for COVID-19. While the numbers typically go up and down, about 27 people, 3%, tested positive for COVID-19 in Central Oregon this past week.
During flu season, Bacho recommends getting vaccinated and avoiding close contact with those who are sick. People who are sick should limit contact with others, cover coughs and sneezes and wash their hands. She also suggests cleaning and disinfecting high-touch surfaces, like doorknobs and tables.
“Those are some basic measures that people can put in place, aside from getting a vaccine, which is one of the most important preventative measures,” said Bacho.
This article appears in The Source Weekly January 9, 2025.
MAKE LOCAL JOURNALISM HAPPEN
Republish our articles for free, online or in print, under a Creative Commons license.
Sounds like Big Pharma is pushing disinformation as usual. There is far too many reputable scientific studies and data that dispute the claims being made here and pushed by BP/Medical Industial Complex. No conspiracies here as some will want to claim. So do your homework and educate yourselves. Hint: You won’t find it relying on corporate Media outlets fear porn articles.