(By Bihu Sandhir, Chief Medical Officer, Blanchard Valley Health System)
As we move deeper into the 2025–2026 influenza season, one thing is clear: this is not a typical flu year. Preliminary estimates indicate approximately 11 million illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 flu-related deaths across the United States so far this season. These numbers represent a significant increase compared to this time last year, during a season that was the most severe we had experienced in more than a decade.
Much of the impact is being driven by a dominant strain of Influenza A (H3N2), often referred to as the “super flu.” This is a serious and potentially life-threatening illness, especially for older adults, young children, pregnant individuals, and those with underlying chronic health conditions.
Nationally, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) have classified the current flu season as “moderately severe”—a designation that carries real consequences for families, workplaces, and healthcare systems. Closer to home, Ohio is experiencing some of the highest flu activity in the nation. State surveillance data indicate very high levels, with emergency department visits for respiratory symptoms significantly exceeding the five-year average. Locally, the impact is being felt across clinics, urgent care centers, and hospitals.
At Blanchard Valley Health System (BVHS), we’re working closely with Hancock Public Health and other regional health departments to monitor influenza activity through multiple data sources, including laboratory testing, hospitalizations, statewide and national surveillance, and wastewater monitoring. What we’re seeing locally mirrors what’s happening across Ohio and the country, with early trends suggesting that we may exceed the severity of the 2024-2025 flu season.
Through the start of this month, BVHS has recorded more than 140 influenza-related emergency department visits—more than three times the number seen at this point last year. Influenza-related hospital admissions have also increased, rising to 24 compared to 17 during the same period the previous season. Outpatient practices, including primary care and urgent care, are also reporting higher-than-average numbers of influenza and flu-like illnesses.
While these statistics are alarming, they remind us of the importance of using precautionary measures to reduce the risk for our community. Annual flu vaccination remains the single most effective way to ward off severe illness, hospitalization, and complications from influenza. Even when vaccination does not completely prevent infection, it significantly reduces the severity of illness and the likelihood of serious outcomes. Basic preventive measures—such as frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, wearing a mask when appropriate, and staying home when sick—continue to play a critical role in slowing the spread.
Influenza is often underestimated because it returns every year. Seasons like this one remind us that the flu is not just a bad cold; it is a serious public health issue that requires vigilance, preparation, and community cooperation.
As a physician and a member of this community, I encourage everyone to take this flu season seriously. Visit bvhealthsystem.org/schedule to make an appointment online, and talk with your healthcare provider about vaccination and any potential symptoms. Together, we can reduce the impact of this challenging flu season and keep our community healthier through the winter months.
