Ohio flu cases higher than 85% of the US. Here are the counties who have it the worst
The worst of the flu season may be behind Ohio. The state’s flu activity — the number of outpatient visits, positive lab tests and deaths due to flu — finally dropped this week.
Last week, Ohio tied with Nebraska and Washington, D.C. for the highest flu activity in the country. While Nebraska and D.C. continue to report the highest numbers of new flu-related hospitalizations, Ohio reported 544 new cases since March 9.
The CDC measures the spread of flu by looking at weekly data of flu activity and ranking regions by their levels of activity.
On a scale of one to 13 with 13 being the very highest, Ohio is currently ranked a level 10 in flu activity for the week ending March 16, dropping from 12 in recent weeks. The activity is still higher than the majority of the country, with only six areas (D.C., Michigan, Nebraska, North Dakota, New Mexico and Iowa) reporting equal or higher activity.
Northeast and east central (including Mahoning) Ohio have had the highest number of reported flu-related hospitalizations in the 2023-2024 flu season (from October to March).
The number of flu-related hospitalizations reported the week ending March 16 was only 75 in the east central region (Mahoning, Ashland, Carroll, Columbiana, Holmes, Medina, Portage, Richland, Stark Summit, Trumbull, Tuscarawas and Wayne counties). The region had 85 new cases last week and reported cases reached 120 two weeks ago.
The region’s totals sit at 1,379 reported cases.
The northeast region, Ashtabula, Cuyahoga, Geauga, Lake and Lorain counties, reported 96 cases this week, bringing their total for the season to 1,564, the highest in the state.
The northeast region no longer has the highest activity. Those honors go to the northwest, which includes Allen, Auglaize, Defiance, Erie, Fulton, Hancock, Henry, Huron, Lucas, Mercer, Ottawa, Paulding, Putnam, Sandusky, Seneca, Van Wert, Williams and Wood counties. The region reported 108 new cases, bringing the season total to 1,073.
As of March 16, Ohio has had 8,145 cases of flu-related hospitalizations this season.
Ohio counties with the highest number of reported influenza-associated hospitalizations
- Cuyahoga: 996
- Franklin: 678
- Montgomery: 677
- Hamilton: 644
- Lucas: 410
- Summit: 332
- Stark: 307
- Butler: 286
- Lorain: 245
- Lake: 178
- Clermont: 157
- Mahoning: 154 (8 new hospitalizations since March 9)
Warren: 132
- Medina: 131
Clark: 109
- Allen: 105
- Miami: 104
- Greene: 103
- Wayne: 99
- Muskingum: 92
- Wood: 88
- Jefferson: 84
- Columbiana: 77
- Ashtabula: 74
- Geauga: 71
Vaccination’s impact
In Ohio, 48.8% of adults and 55.7% of children under 18 were vaccinated for the 2022-2023 season. Ohio’s reported vaccinations coverage was lower than the state average at 43.7%.
This year, vaccinations are up to 46.8%, according to the CDC. Despite an increase in Ohio residents getting flu shots this year, reported flu cases are on the rise in the state.
Flu Symptoms
Influenza (flu) can cause mild to severe illness, and at times can lead to death. Flu symptoms usually come on suddenly. People who have flu often feel some or all of these symptoms:
- fever or feeling feverish/chills
- cough
- sore throat
- runny or stuffy nose
- muscle or body aches
- headaches
- fatigue (tiredness)
- some people may have vomiting and diarrhea, though this is more common in children than adults.
Not everyone with flu will have a fever, but for those who do, the high temperatures can last for three to four days.
More information is available at Flu and COVID-19 symptoms.
The CDC reported this season’s flu shot reduced the risk of flu-related hospitalizations by 52%. For those who get sick despite getting a vaccine, the symptoms are far less severe.
The CDC recommends everyone ages six months and older should get annual flu vaccinations.
People at higher risk of serious flu complications include young children, pregnant people, those who suffer from certain chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or heart and lung disease, and people 65 years and older.
Flu vaccinations are available by injection, nasal spray or in high doses (for seniors). The state provides free vaccinations for children under 18 years of age and for underinsured adults. To find flu vaccine locations near you, visit vaccines.gov.
This story was originally published March 22, 2024 at 3:43 PM.
