With an uptick in holiday gatherings, a wave of illness anticipated by health officials is rolling in with full force. Monkeypox has made its first reappearance in Lane County since September, while RSV and influenza cases are skyrocketing, according to area health officials.
“The Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) is spreading rapidly through our community and influenza is also starting to get worse,” said Jason Davis, public information officer for Lane County Public Health. PeaceHealth hospitals are seeing a large number of patients with RSV in its outpatient clinics and emergency departments throughout the county:
Influenza, the notorious winter viral infection, is also worse than years before, and is also fueling high hospitalization rates. Given that many were not able to build up their immune systems the last two years, Davis said that influenza is running rampant.
Four cases of Monkeypox (MPXV) have also been identified in the county — the first cases identified since Sept. 12. “We have been very fortunate that we have not seen more” cases, said Dr. Patrick Luedtke, Lane County senior public health officer. “However, these latest cases clearly demonstrate that it is still present and infecting people, highlighting the need for continued awareness and preventive practices.”
