by Kate Shunney
The appearance of influenza in the general population is expected in mid-December, with increased circulation at holiday gatherings that spread germs among people. That prediction has come true locally.
Public health officials in Morgan County confirm that’s what’s being seen now, with local residents reporting the spread of influenza cases in their work and family circles. Testing can confirm what particular strain of flu is causing illness in individuals.
According to emergency room visit data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Morgan County saw a marked increase of ER visits due to influenza during the week of Christmas, with the total number of ER visits due to flu rising from 5.3% to 11.2% between December 20 and December 27, 2025. Visits due to COVID doubled in December, rising to 1.3% of ER visits overall. RSV-related visits to the emergency room were 1.6% of the overall visits during the last week of December.
Influenza illness causes symptoms of fatigue, fever, chills, body aches, headache and overall weakness. Children under the age of two, people older than 65, those with chronic health conditions like asthma or diabetes and those with other health challenges can be at higher risk for flu and may develop more serious complications if they get sick.
The West Virginia Department of Health issued a Health Advisory to healthcare providers on December 17, advising that a variant of Influenza A (H3N2) is circulating and is expected to increase due to “increased travel gatherings and indoor time that bring people in closer contact.”
According to health officials, most of the viruses collected and analyzed during this respiratory disease season have been a variant of the flu strain, sometimes referred to as a “drifted” strain. That means the current virus has “genetically drifted away from the viruses used in the annual vaccine,” which is formulated much earlier in the year.
This year’s flu vaccine contains three strains – A(H1N1), A(H3N2) and a B/Victoria lineage virus, according the Centers for Disease Control.
“Seasons during which the influenza A(H3) cause the majority of influenza infections are typically characterized by more severe illnesses, particularly among older adults, resulting in more people seeking care,” said state health advisors.
Morgan County Health Department officials have said the current flu shot does provide protection from severe symptoms brought on by influenza infection.
Tanya Manley, RN Nurse Director of the Berkeley-Morgan County Health Departments, said individuals can make an appointment at any time to come to the Morgan County Health Department to get flu, COVID, RSV or Pneumonia vaccines.
While many residents get those vaccines in late November to prepare for the upcoming respiratory illness season, the shots can still be taken at this point.
“You would want it now, because it takes about two weeks to become fully effective,” said Manley. She said the region is at peak season for respiratory illness. 
According to the CDC, Morgan County saw its biggest number of emergency room visits due to flu in the middle of February of last year.
Epidemiologist Robert Deneer said the level of respiratory illness in the area is typical for the time of year – he said cases will be heightened from now through March and April.
The public can protect themselves against the spread of respiratory illness by following the standard guidance from the Centers for Disease Control, which include these actions:
–Wash hands thoroughly and frequently and keep hands away from your nose, mouth and eyes when possible,
— Stay home when you are sick to prevent the spread of germs to those around you,
— Wear a mask when ill if you need to be among others,
— Avoid close contact with babies, older people and those with compromised immune systems if you suspect you are sick,
— Drink water, eat healthy foods, exercise and sleep sufficiently to boost natural immunity,
— Stay up to date on routine vaccinations to protect yourself and those around you from contagious diseases.
For more information about vaccinations, contact your primary health care provider or the Morgan County Health Department at 304-258-1513.
