Sonoma County is experiencing an alarming second surge in flu cases and hospitalizations, surpassing decade-long records. Health officials are concerned as this ‘rebound’ in Influenza A infections occurs alongside declining vaccination rates. Hospitalizations for respiratory viruses, including flu, COVID-19, and RSV, have more than doubled since late December, with flu accounting for the majority.
Experts attribute the spike to a less effective flu vaccine against the current dominant strain and widespread vaccine fatigue. Doctors are seeing severe flu cases, even in intensive care. Despite the late stage in the flu season, health officials urge residents to get vaccinated.
Similar trends are being observed in neighboring Napa County and nationwide, where flu activity remains high. The CDC has classified the flu season as ‘high severity.’ Health officials are also monitoring the potential risk of a new virus strain emerging from a combination of human and avian flu. They emphasize that vaccination remains the best defense against severe illness.
