State health officials Tuesday said the number of new flu cases in Oregon had declined.

In its latest update on H1N1, the Department of Human Services said that since Sept. 1, 2009, 1,183 people have been hospitalized in Oregon with influenza-like illness; 49 people have died.

“We have fewer new cases compared to a few weeks ago, but the number is still high, about what we would see at the peak of a bad regular flu season,” says Dr. Mel Kohn, director of the Oregon Public Health Division.

Private drug manufacturers continue to ship the H1N1 influenza vaccine into Oregon, with more arriving each week. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has allocated another 136,749 doses to Oregon expected by Friday, Nov. 27, bringing the cumulative total to 664,904.

“With the vaccine still in limited supply, we’re asking health care providers to reach out to people in high-risk groups, especially those with chronic medical conditions, so they can get vaccinated as soon as possible,” says Kohn.

The Public Health Division regularly surveys the counties and posts current public clinic information at www.flu.oregon.gov.

Oregon Public Health flu hotline at 1-800-978-3040 has added a team of specially trained nurses to answer medical questions related to flu, including how to care for someone who has the flu and when to see a doctor.

For more information on H1N1 flu and vaccines, call the Oregon Public Health Flu Hotline at 1-800-978-3040 or visit www.flu.oregon.gov.

n Tomorrow: Local vaccination update