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News & Updates

Influenza and Ebola – February 2025

February 11, 2025
Sam Ashoo, MD

Influenza Surge in the United States 

The United States is still experiencing a significant flu season, with high levels of influenza-like illness (ILI) reported across the country. According to the CDC, this flu season has already led to: 

  • 24 million illnesses 
  • 310,000 hospitalizations 
  • 13,000 deaths 

Visits for flu-like symptoms have hit a 15-year high, with nearly 8% of all healthcare visits attributed to respiratory illnesses. Although flu cases are on the rise, RSV seems to have peaked and is starting to decline across the country. COVID-19 test positivity rates are also declining, currently at 4.9%, and hospitalizations are trending down as well. 

Source: CDC. Last updated Feb 5th, 2025. 

What This Means for the United States 

Flu activity remains widespread, though some states are experiencing higher rates than others. Areas with particularly high flu activity include Tennessee, Louisiana, Oregon, and New Mexico. The CDC provides state-level flu activity data, which you can check here. 

Source: CDC. Last updated Feb 5th, 2025. 

Unfortunately, this means our United States emergency departments will continue to see record volumes of seasonal flu cases for the near future. 

Bird Flu (H5) 

The CDC also reports large numbers of bird flu (H5) in birds and cows, and 68 cases of human infection in poultry and dairy workers, and 1 death. However, the overall risk to humans in the United States remains low. 

Ebola Outbreak in Uganda 

Last week, the CDC issued a health advisory when Uganda reported a new Ebola outbreak in its capital, Kampala, caused by the Sudan virus. This is the eighth outbreak in Uganda since 2000. The first case was a 32-year-old nurse who developed high fever, chest pain, trouble breathing, and bleeding. He passed away on January 29, 2025, and testing confirmed Ebola (Sudan virus strain). 

There has been a change in the naming of this virus. Previously known as Eebola virus, the group of orthoebolaviruses are now separated by the type of disease caused. 

  • Ebola virus (species Orthoebolavirus zairense) causes Ebola virus disease. 
  • Sudan virus (species Orthoebolavirus sudanense) causes Sudan virus disease. 
  • Taï Forest virus (species Orthoebolavirus taiense) causes Taï Forest virus disease. 
  • Bundibugyo virus (species Orthoebolavirus bundibugyoense) causes Bundibugyo virus disease. 

Mortality rates vary by disease type. Previous outbreaks of Sudan virus were associated with a 50% mortality rate. 

What This Means for the United States 

So far, there have been no Ebola cases in the United States linked to this outbreak. However, the CDC is urging healthcare providers to stay alert, especially for patients with recent travel to Uganda who show Ebola-like symptoms. 

Key Points for Healthcare Workers 

  • Ask about travel history if a patient has fever, aches, diarrhea, vomiting, or unexplained bleeding. 
  • While flu activity remains high, the overlap in symptoms between influenza and other serious infections like Ebola (fever, headache, muscle and joint pain, fatigue, loss of appetite, gastrointestinal symptoms, or unexplained bleeding) makes it critical for healthcare providers to obtain detailed travel and exposure histories to ensure accurate diagnosis and treatment. 

What to Do If You Suspect a Case 

If a patient shows suspicious symptoms and has been in Uganda: CDC 

  • Isolate the patient and use proper infection control measures. 
  • Notify public health authorities immediately. 
  • Follow CDC guidelines for testing and biosafety precautions. 

For more on EBOLA and Influenza from EB Medicine: 

EBOLA 

Influenza 

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