Oregon Public Broadcasting

Public health officials are bracing for what could be a difficult flu season. In Salem Friday, Oregon policymakers convened for a day-long “flu summit”. Salem Correspondent Chris Lehman reports.

Hundreds of people die from seasonal flu every year in Oregon. But state officials warn that the number of deaths and serious illnesses could go up thanks to the new H1N1 flu strain.

Governor Ted Kulongoski says a worst-case scenario could see up to 40 percent of Oregonians falling ill.

He says that could put an additional stress on the economy. But the Governor warned businesses against disciplining workers who stay home because they're sick.

Ted Kulongoski: “What the employers have to understand, if you allow one person to come that has the flu and they infect the rest of the workforce, now you really have a serious problem.”

Federal health officials recommend getting a vaccination against the virus, especially for younger people. Vaccinations won't be available until at least sometime this fall.

Last spring some Oregon schools and even a university temporarily closed due to the virus. Education officials say this year schools will stay open except in extreme cases.

Online:

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention H1N1 website

Oregon flu information

Washington flu information

Idaho flu information