By Riley McCoy
The Register-Herald
BECKLEY — A virulent strain of influenza has pushed the 2025-26 flu season to its highest activity level in 25 years, bringing longer fevers and harsher symptoms, area health officials said Thursday.
“Nationally, we are seeing the highest incidence of flu we have seen in the last 25 years,” said Dr. Steven Eshenaur, health officer and executive director of the Kanawha-Charleston Health Department and health officer for the Fayette County Health Department.
COVID-19 still accounts for most respiratory outbreaks tracked by the state, but influenza is showing up strongly in emergency room symptoms. Since late September, West Virginia has logged 53 COVID-related respiratory outbreaks compared with six tied to the flu. However, flu symptoms have accounted for a larger share of recent ER visits than COVID.
Eshenaur said the flu’s impact this season is tied to the dominant strain and its severity.
“There’s a particular strain out called H3N2,” Eshenaur said. “This is a very virulent form that can make people pretty sick, with fevers lasting five to seven days.”
COVID-19 still accounts for most respiratory outbreaks tracked by the state, but influenza is showing up strongly in emergency room symptoms. Since late September, West Virginia has logged 53 COVID-related respiratory outbreaks compared with six tied to the flu. However, flu symptoms have accounted for a larger share of recent ER visits than COVID.
Eshenaur said the flu’s impact this season is tied to the dominant strain and its severity.
“There’s a particular strain out called H3N2,” Eshenaur said. “This is a very virulent form that can make people pretty sick, with fevers lasting five to seven days.”
COVID-19 still accounts for most respiratory outbreaks tracked by the state, but influenza is showing up strongly in emergency room symptoms. Since late September, West Virginia has logged 53 COVID-related respiratory outbreaks compared with six tied to the flu. However, flu symptoms have accounted for a larger share of recent ER visits than COVID.
Eshenaur said the flu’s impact this season is tied to the dominant strain and its severity.
“There’s a particular strain out called H3N2,” Eshenaur said. “This is a very virulent form that can make people pretty sick, with fevers lasting five to seven days.”
COVID-19 still accounts for most respiratory outbreaks tracked by the state, but influenza is showing up strongly in emergency room symptoms. Since late September, West Virginia has logged 53 COVID-related respiratory outbreaks compared with six tied to the flu. However, flu symptoms have accounted for a larger share of recent ER visits than COVID.
Eshenaur said the flu’s impact this season is tied to the dominant strain and its severity.
“There’s a particular strain out called H3N2,” Eshenaur said. “This is a very virulent form that can make people pretty sick, with fevers lasting five to seven days.”
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