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Flu cases are rising again across Central New York after a brief period of decline earlier this year. According to the latest data for the week ending February 7, Onondaga County reported 357 new cases, followed by Oneida County with 84 cases and Madison County with 49 cases.
This uptick comes after a promising downward trend observed in January. Data from late January had shown Onondaga County's cases dropping to 286, suggesting the region might be moving past the peak of the season.
The 2025-2026 flu season has been particularly severe for the region. Dr. Kathryn Anderson, Onondaga County health commissioner, previously noted that local hospitals have been significantly impacted by the influx of patients.
"It's having a toll on our local hospitals," Anderson said, pointing to full emergency rooms and hospital beds. Syracuse's three hospital systems have reported approximately four times more flu admissions compared to the same period last year.
The severity prompted both Upstate University Hospital and St. Joseph's Hospital to establish incident command centers to manage the surge in patients. St. Joseph's reported seeing about 40 more patients daily in its emergency room due to flu-related illnesses.
Health officials note that while this year's dominant strain has been spreading rapidly, it is not expected to be unusually deadly. The virus has disproportionately affected vulnerable populations including seniors, infants, and those with compromised immune systems.
For those experiencing flu symptoms, **Dr. Anderson** recommends that otherwise healthy individuals stay home and avoid hospitals unless they develop serious symptoms such as difficulty breathing, chest pain, dizziness, or uncontrollable vomiting. Those at higher risk for complications should contact their primary care provider within the first 48 hours of symptoms, when antiviral medications are most effective.
Despite being in mid-February, health officials emphasize that it's not too late to get vaccinated. The flu season typically peaks in January and February but can extend into spring. Residents can find nearby vaccination clinics by visiting vaccines.gov.