Public Health nurse notes a spike in flu cases; highest total in Saugus in 15 years

By Mark E. Vogler

The 201 cases of influenza reported in Saugus last month was “the most cases we have seen in February in over 15 years,” according to the town’s Public Health Nurse, Teresa Riley-Singh.

“As a comparison, 2024, we saw 89 cases. In 2023, we saw five, 2018, 57; 2017, 11,” Riley-Singh told the Board of Health last week.

“[Flu] vaccinations were definitely lower this year,” Riley-Singh said.

“It’s never too late to get your flu shot,” she said.

The best protection to keep away from hospitalization due to influenza is the flu shot.

Riley-Singh noted that 242 people in Massachusetts died of the flu this season – seven of them being pediatric patients. Saugus had two flu-related deaths, she said.

“I know the flu took a backseat to COVID and, in fact, numbers greatly improved due to mask wearing and washing hands,” Riley-Singh said.

“I do not want people to forget that the flu is a deadly virus that can raise havoc on your body. Influenza attacks multiple systems of the body at the same time – often people struggle with respiratory, GI, fevers,” she said.