2 Portland area children died from flu, OHA says

PORTLAND, Ore. (KOIN) -- Two children from the Portland area died of influenza in late December, according to new data released from the Oregon Health Authority.

OHA's weekly influenza reports state both of the deaths happened the week of Dec. 22. No further details regarding the deaths were released.

However, this flu season, 474 people from Multnomah, Clackamas and Washington counties combined have also been hospitalized for the flu, compared to 134 hospitalizations last year, OHA said.

OHA estimates the hospitalization rate overall this season is 26.2 per 100,000 people.

Further, the data states immunization numbers are down 4% from last year and have been steadily decreasing since the 2022-2023 flu season.