BEND, OR -- With flu season officially underway, Deschutes County Public health urges everyone to start taking precautions. Communicable Diseases and Immunizations Program Manager Rita Bacho expects Deschutes County will see more cases than recent years, "We may have some increased flu just because we’ve done away with the masking mandates." 

While masking helps prevent spreading germs, Bacho tells KBND News it’s best to be proactive by washing your hands often and getting a flu shot. "I do know that throughout the season, there will be enough vaccines for everybody to get vaccinated," she says, "But we worry that if we don’t have enough vaccines earlier on, there may be a huge spread of flu before people get vaccinated, which we want to avoid at all costs." And, she worries fewer people are willing to get vaccinated since the pandemic, "We’ve seen a lot more people being hesitant. Even really educated people who you would assume would know better, have become all of a sudden hesitant." Bacho notes the flu shot is fully tested and approved by the FDA.

The county is conducting vaccine clinics for high risk populations, like those living in congregate settings. But most people need to schedule through their primary care doctor or local pharmacy. 

In the first week of October - the only data available so far - our tri-county area had four positive tests for influenza A and two for influenza B. Bacho says that’s right around typical for this early in the season.

The symptoms of flu are similar to COVID-19 and RSV, which are also common this time of year, "Fever, cough, sore throat, runny nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue," says Bacho, "Definitely people with flu, you would see a lot more cough and runny nose than somebody with RSV or COVID." If you do get sick, avoid other people, especially the elderly or very young whose immune systems may not be as strong.