A report by Oregon Public Health's Emerging Infections Program (EIP) reveals some trends in H1N1-related hospitalizations.

The EIP network reviewed charts from patients hospitalized in Clackamas, Multnomah and Washington counties and compiled a report on deaths from lab-confirmed influenza in Oregon. Among several noteworthy findings, the report showed that 82 percent of adults hospitalized with the flu had underlying health conditions, most commonly asthma, chronic lung disease and chronic metabolic diseases such as diabetes. Similarly, the report showed that over half of hospitalized children had underlying health conditions, usually asthma and conditions that cause decreased immunity.

Thirty-three pregnant women were hospitalized for flu during the time frame covered by the EIP report, compared with an average of less than one hospitalization among pregnant women during the past five years.

The report showed that the median age of adult flu death cases in Oregon is 51. Over half (57 percent) of the deaths were male, and 84 percent were white.

“This information provides a good picture of who is getting hospitalized from the flu, which helps us to determine who is most at risk,” said Mel Kohn, MD, MPH, director of Oregon Public Health.

This report covers the period from Sept. 1, 2009, through Jan. 11, 2010, and was released in early February.

For more information, visit our News Room or call the Oregon Public Health Flu Hotline at 800-978-3040.