Frederick Health Hospital is also reporting increases, but FHH says there on par with past flu seasons.
Flu virus
Frederick, Md (KM) Cases of influenza have seen a sharp increase across the nation and the state, according to the Maryland Department of Health. The agency says since September, 2025, seven people have died in Maryland due to the flu.
Dr. Leudvig Sardarian, Chief Medical Officer and Vice President of Medical Affairs for Frederick Health Hospital, says the number flu cases coming into the FHH has increased. “The flu A has been a bad strain for sure this year. We’re seeing it statewide,” he says. “As far as Frederick County or Frederick Health’s I can say, our individual hospital numbers have been elevated.”
‘But I can say in comparing to previous years, we’re on par with a typical flu season,” he continues.
He says a lot the reasons for the elevated number of flu cases are lack of sunlight and the cold weather. “But this particular flu season, we are seeing a strain that from reports from some of the larger organizations that vaccination has not been as successful as in previous years from this particular flu strain,” says Dr. Sardarian.
The vaccine was manufactured and made available this year to the public before this new flu strain was detected.
However, Dr. Sardarian says it’s still important for residents to get their flu shots. “The recommendations for vaccination is that it decreases for all risk for high morbidity or high negative outcomes from the flu strain,” he says. “It doesn’t necessarily mean that you may or may not be affected by the flu or any type of a sickness. The flu vaccine is always recommended.”
The symptoms of the flu include myalgia or a pain in a muscle or a group of muscle. It also includes coughing, runny nose and headaches. Dr. Sardarian says it’s important if you come down with these flu symptoms to take action. “Hydration; making sure that you’re staying home; getting plenty of rest; healthy nutrition; and also making sure that you are practicing good hand hygiene. Obviously, taking care that if you’re in a work environment or a home environment where others may potentially get the disease from you that you’re protecting them from you as well,:” he says.
But if you must come to the hospital, Dr. Sardarian says the staff at FHH is ready to help. “We’re always actually prepared for a rise in demand in the winter time. So we’re absolutely prepared,’ he says.
By Kevin McManus