According to state records, two children in the Portland region passed away from influenza in December, making it the first such death in Oregon this winter.
The Oregon Health Authority’s weekly influenza report states that during the week ending December 28, both children became ill and passed away in Multnomah, Washington, or Clackamas counties.
Last winter, no children in Oregon lost their lives. According to data from the Oregon Health Authority, three children died during the previous flu season and none during the 2021–2022 and 2020–2021 seasons. The 2019–2020 season saw the deaths of four youngsters.
In Oregon, flu-related deaths usually range from zero to five per season, according to an email from health officials.
The Oregon Health Authority refused to disclose information about the children, such as whether they had received a flu vaccination or were immunocompromised.
About 474 individuals have been hospitalized in the Portland region so far this season due to the flu, compared to 134 admissions at the same time last year.
According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the flu killed at least 205 children in the United States during the most recent flu season.
By late December, flu shots in Oregon were 10% fewer than in late December 2022 and down 4% from the same period in 2023, according to state data.
Considering that there were more than 1,100 cases of pertussis in 2024—the most in a single year since 1950, when Oregon recorded 1,420 cases—the Oregon Health Authority advised people to also get vaccinated against this respiratory infection.
Fedor Zarkhin is an enterprise and breaking news reporter. Have you got a story? Contact him by email at [email protected] or by phone at 971-373-2905.
Your support is essential to our journalism. Sign up for OregonLive.com now.
Most Popular Stories by
Fedor Zarkhin
-
Police used force against man who died at PDX airport Saturday, video by bystander shows
-
Landslide closes access to 2 state parks on Oregon coast
-
Person with knife wounds self at PDX, prompting emergency response
-
1 man dead, another arrested following Tigard crash
-
2nd man arrested in December Clackamas Town Center shooting that injured 15-year-old
Note: Every piece of content is rigorously reviewed by our team of experienced writers and editors to ensure its accuracy. Our writers use credible sources and adhere to strict fact-checking protocols to verify all claims and data before publication. If an error is identified, we promptly correct it and strive for transparency in all updates, feel free to reach out to us via email. We appreciate your trust and support!
