Worcester health officials report falling flu, ongoing COVID activity and note national measles surge
July 08, 2025 | Worcester City, Worcester County, Massachusetts
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Amelia Houghton, Chief of Public Health Nursing for the Worcester Division of Public Health, told the board on July 28 that influenza cases in the city fell from 38 in May to six in June and that confirmed COVID-19 cases declined from 42 to 33 over the same period.
Houghton said the division has not recorded any measles or pertussis cases in those months. She told the board that the COVID variant named NB.1.8.1 is of interest because it may spread more rapidly and has shown antibody-evading properties; she described it as currently the second-most-common strain in circulation. Houghton also noted a commonly reported symptom for NB.1.8.1 that clinicians have described as a "razor blade-like throat feeling." She advised that people with severe symptoms—trouble breathing, new confusion, persistent chest pain or pressure, or bluish discoloration—should seek immediate medical attention, following CDC guidance.
Houghton also highlighted that, because federal vaccination recommendations drive many insurers' coverage policies, healthy adults under 65 who are not in recommended groups may now face out-of-pocket costs (she cited roughly $200) for the newest COVID vaccine formulations.
Dr. Michael Hirsch, medical director for the division, further warned that measles activity in 2025 is sharply higher nationally than in previous years. "The estimated number of measles cases in the United States this year is 1,277, three times last year's number," Dr. Hirsch said, adding that three people in the U.S. and one person in Mexico had died in the current outbreak. He said roughly one in eight people who contracted measles in the current outbreak required hospitalization.
Dr. Hirsch also raised concerns about recent changes at the federal advisory level: he said the Department of Health and Human Services replaced members of a vaccination advisory panel with several individuals who have publicly criticized vaccines, and he warned the change could erode vaccine confidence. He described the precautionary role of thimerosal in multi-dose influenza vaccine vials and said that, while single-dose prefilled syringes typically do not contain thimerosal, public confusion about vaccine safety remains a concern.
Board members were urged to maintain outreach and vaccination promotion. The division provided links that will appear in the meeting packet and minutes to CDC measles data and travel-health notices for jurisdictions tracking global outbreaks.
Ending: The board acknowledged public-health staff's routine surveillance updates and noted the importance of ongoing vaccination outreach and monitoring for evolving variants and national measles activity.
Houghton said the division has not recorded any measles or pertussis cases in those months. She told the board that the COVID variant named NB.1.8.1 is of interest because it may spread more rapidly and has shown antibody-evading properties; she described it as currently the second-most-common strain in circulation. Houghton also noted a commonly reported symptom for NB.1.8.1 that clinicians have described as a "razor blade-like throat feeling." She advised that people with severe symptoms—trouble breathing, new confusion, persistent chest pain or pressure, or bluish discoloration—should seek immediate medical attention, following CDC guidance.
Houghton also highlighted that, because federal vaccination recommendations drive many insurers' coverage policies, healthy adults under 65 who are not in recommended groups may now face out-of-pocket costs (she cited roughly $200) for the newest COVID vaccine formulations.
Dr. Michael Hirsch, medical director for the division, further warned that measles activity in 2025 is sharply higher nationally than in previous years. "The estimated number of measles cases in the United States this year is 1,277, three times last year's number," Dr. Hirsch said, adding that three people in the U.S. and one person in Mexico had died in the current outbreak. He said roughly one in eight people who contracted measles in the current outbreak required hospitalization.
Dr. Hirsch also raised concerns about recent changes at the federal advisory level: he said the Department of Health and Human Services replaced members of a vaccination advisory panel with several individuals who have publicly criticized vaccines, and he warned the change could erode vaccine confidence. He described the precautionary role of thimerosal in multi-dose influenza vaccine vials and said that, while single-dose prefilled syringes typically do not contain thimerosal, public confusion about vaccine safety remains a concern.
Board members were urged to maintain outreach and vaccination promotion. The division provided links that will appear in the meeting packet and minutes to CDC measles data and travel-health notices for jurisdictions tracking global outbreaks.
Ending: The board acknowledged public-health staff's routine surveillance updates and noted the importance of ongoing vaccination outreach and monitoring for evolving variants and national measles activity.
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