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Norovirus isn't the only disease surging in the U.S. this week, as the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has reported high levels of respiratory illnesses across the country.
Why It Matters
Illnesses like COVID-19, influenza and RSV have spread across the population in the past few weeks, as millions of Americans gathered for the holidays. The spread of these illnesses poses a serious threat to public health and is a significant concern following the global coronavirus pandemic that erupted in 2020.
What To Know
This past Friday, the CDC reported a "high" level of respiratory illness activity in the U.S., the second-highest level behind "very high." This can include COVID-19, the flu, RSV (or respiratory syncytial virus) or even the common cold.
COVID-19 activity has been increasing "in most areas of the country," with high levels of the virus found in wastewater. Emergency department visits for cases of the virus remained low but were rising. The CDC predicts that the virus will continue to spread in the coming weeks, as it has in previous winters.
The flu and RSV both showed moderate levels of wastewater viral activity, and emergency department visits for each illness were increasing, according to the CDC.
The CDC also said vaccination coverage for COVID-19 and influenza was "low" among Americans, and RSV vaccine coverage was low among adults. The CDC expects the 2024-2025 COVID-19 vaccine will "work well" to prevent the spread of the disease this year.
New Hampshire was the state with the highest level of respiratory illness activity, according to the CDC.
Americans can prevent the spread of viruses in several ways, such as staying home when they feel sick or properly washing their hands (for 20 seconds using warm water), according to public health experts.
The spread of these respiratory illnesses comes as many other Americans have become ill with the norovirus, also known as the stomach flu, which has reached its highest levels for this time of year in more than a decade, according to CDC data.
Several states have also reported rising cases of whooping cough, and the CDC urges vaccination to prevent its spread.
What People Are Saying
The CDC said it "continues to expect the fall and winter virus season will have a similar or lower peak number of combined hospitalizations from COVID-19, influenza, and RSV compared to last year. However, peak hospitalizations from all respiratory viruses remain likely to be much higher than they were before the emergence of COVID-19."
Dr. Lee Dossett, chief medical officer at Baptist Health Lexington (Kentucky), told WKYT: "It's the time of the year...where people are indoors more, they're around people more, immune systems maybe aren't as strong."
What Happens Next
Respiratory illnesses are typically worse in the colder months, and this year is expected to be no exception. The CDC's respiratory illness forecast predicts that the COVID-19 season peak could occur later this season.
Influenza typically peaks between December and February, while RSV's season peaks vary by region.
About the writer
Andrew Stanton is a Newsweek weekend reporter based in Maine. His role is reporting on U.S. politics and social issues. ... Read more