Category: Flu Virus

The highly contagious avian flu is being spread primarily by migratory birds, putting game birds, and backyard and commercial poultry at risk.

Poultry owners should take precautions to prevent their birds from contacting waterfowl or the habitat that waterfowl frequent because this strain of avian influenza is highly contagious, said Maurice Pitesky, UC Davis School of Veterinary Medicine associate professor of Cooperative Extension.

Infected waterfowl shed the highly pathogenic avian influenza virus in their feces and respiratory secretions, where the virus can remain viable for months in the environment.

If you can't confine your birds in a coop, focus on good sanitation and reducing contact with waterfowl and their habitat such as agricultural fields and ponds, he said.

Pitesky urges commercial and backyard chicken owners to monitor their birds for the following symptoms:

Clear, runny discharge from nose, mouth and eyes

Lethargy or lack of energy

Swollen eyes, head, wattles or combs

Discolored or bruised comb, wattles or legs

To prevent exposure to potentially infected waterfowl, Pitesky suggests reassessing and redoubling biosecurity efforts to prevent contact between wild animals and domestic poultry.

Specifically, he recommends keeping birds away from ponds and other open water where they may contact waterfowl, which are the primary reservoir of the disease. To prevent cross-contamination, use clothing and boots that stay on your property and avoid sharing equipment with other bird owners.

A local veterinarian or UC Cooperative Extension farm adviser may have more suggestions to reduce risk.

For more information about protecting birds from avian influenza, visit https://ucanr.edu/sites/poultry/files/225352.pdf.

Unusual or suspicious sick or dead domestic birds should be reported to the California Department of Food and Agriculture Sick Bird Hotline at (866) 922-2473.

Suspicious wild bird deaths can be reported to California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) at https://wildlife.ca.gov/Conservation/Laboratories/Wildlife-Health/Monitoring/Mortality-Report.

Source: University of California Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources

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Precautions urged for avian flu - Precautions urged for avian flu - Farm Progress

KINGSTON, R.I.Jan. 19, 2024Cold and flu season continues and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the numbers for COVID-19 and seasonal flu have been up in most parts of the country in recent weeks. The United States is in the midst of what some are calling a tripledemic with seasonal flu, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) and COVID-19 all making the rounds.

The symptoms for each are similar: coughing, sneezing, runny nose, congestionperhaps accompanied by head or body aches and fever. Left untreated, these illnesses can lead to ear and sinus infections, bronchitis and pneumonia, and longer term complications, or worse.

One of the best ways to protect yourself from getting sickor to keep a mild illness from becoming more seriousis to get vaccinated. Thats why on Tuesday, Jan. 23, from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m., URI Health Services will host a free COVID-19 and flu vaccine clinic in the Memorial Union, Atrium 2. Advance registration is required: Use LOGIN ID URI123. If you are unable to make it, a second clinic will be held Feb. 20 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Memorial Union, Atrium 2. (Use LOGIN ID URI220 to register.)

What we are seeing right now is really pretty typical for this time of yearbut if weve learned anything in the past several years it is how easily germs and viruses can spread and why it is so important to protect yourself in order to avoid getting sick, said Dr. Chris Nasin, medical director of URI Health Services.

Below Dr. Nasin answers a few questions on how to protect yourself and stay healthy this semester and when to seek care if you arent feeling well.

Why does it seem like so many people are sick right now?

What we are seeing are seasonal patterns of illness that are typical for this time of year. Fall and winter are generally considered cold and flu season. Flu season reaches its peak in February and usually tapers off by March. Respiratory viruses are also more prevalent during this time of year and so is illness caused by these viral pathogens.

Is this year worse than previous years?

While the level of flu-like illness is currently considered high here in Rhode Island, so far what we are seeing this year really mirrors what we have seen in previous years.

But, if we have learned anything in the past several years, it is how easily germs and viruses can spread and why it is so important to protect yourself in order to avoid getting sick or spreading that illness to a loved one and how easy it is to do that.

How can people stay healthy this cold and flu season?

One of the easiest things that you can do is to get vaccinated against flu and COVID-19. URI Health Services will be hosting a free vaccination clinic on Tuesday, Jan. 23, in the Memorial Union and a second clinic on Tuesday, Feb. 20. All you need to do is register.

To help stop the spread of germs, cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. And remember to always wash your hands.

Its also important to remember to be a good citizen. If you are sick, stay home and recover. If you have COVID, you should isolate for five days in compliance with the Rhode Island Department of Healths recommendations.

If you arent feeling well, should you tough it out? When shouldyou seek care?

If you have flu-like symptoms (fever plus a cough or fever plus a sore throat), stay home from work, school, or child care until you have been fever-free (temperature less than 100.4 degrees Fahrenheit, or 38 degrees Celsius) for 24 hours without the use of fever-reducing medications.

Make sure to rest and drink plenty of fluids and consider using over-the-counter medicines such as Tylenol, ibuprofen or aspirin to relieve symptoms. (If you are under 19, do not use aspirin to treat the flu.) You should also avoid using alcohol, caffeine or tobacco. If you are in a higher risk category of developing flu-related complications, such as if you are pregnant or have an underlying health condition, you should check with your primary care provider about any special care you might need.

Most people with the flu are sick three to five days and get better on their own. If your symptoms persist or get worse, you should consult with your primary care provider, urgent care facility or URI Health Services. If you have difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, pain or pressure in the chest, or are experiencing flu-like symptoms that improve but then return with fever and worse cough, you should go the emergency room. If you arent sure if you need to go to the emergency room, you should contact your primary care provider or URI Health Services.

URI Health Services is open from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. during the week and 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on the weekend. To schedule an appointment, contact 401.874.2246.

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Protecting yourself from COVID, cold and flu this winter - University of Rhode Island

As the United States experiences its second largest COVID-19 surge ever, health services in Vermont are coming under strain, according to a recent notice from the states Department of Health.Multiple respiratory illnesses, including respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), influenza (flu), and COVID-19 (caused by the SARS-CoV-2 virus), mean the state is experiencing bed and staff shortages and longer waits for care, including in emergency departments, the notice said.Some health centers have reinstituted masking requirements, such as the Northeast Washington County Community Health, Inc. (also known as The Health Center), in Plainfield. The clinic announced Jan. 8 that staff members, patients, and people accompanying patients must wear masks.Were small and were vulnerable, said John Matthew, MD, CEO and medical director of The Health Center. If a couple of us are down, we cant take care of people. As of Jan. 11 at the University of Vermont Medical Center, masking had once more become mandatory for staff members providing direct patient care. In a press release, the hospital also encouraged others to consider wearing a mask while in its facilities. Evidence in the Water Wastewater data, which track how much virus people in an area collectively shed into their toilets, show levels of SARS-CoV-2 rose sharply in early January in Washington and Chittenden counties.As for RSV, Montpelier saw a huge spike in wastewater levels around the turn of the year, while flu levels peaked soon after. Norovirus, which causes vomiting and diarrhea, also burgeoned here around the turn of the year.Vermont is not alone. Flu, SARS-CoV-2, and RSV all hit highs across the United States shortly before or around the turn of the year, according to nationwide wastewater data. A Surge in Deaths and Long COVID The current SARS-CoV-2 surge is the second highest ever, rivaled only by the first Omicron wave two years ago. Some 1,697 people in the U.S. lost their lives to COVID during the week of Jan. 6.A Jan. 15 report from the Pandemic Mitigation Collaborative estimated that 10.2 million people are now being infected weekly, meaning about one out of every 33 people is now infectious with SARS-CoV-2. In a room of 10 people, chances are better than one in four that someone is infectious; in a room of 25 people, there is an over 50% chance someone is infectious, according to the report.The report also estimated that at least one-half million new Long COVID cases are occurring every week.Anyone can develop Long COVID, including those who are healthy and fully vaccinated and those who have previously recovered from COVID. Its symptoms, which often include fatigue and trouble concentrating, can range from mild to disabling.When youre in clinical practice and see the accumulating number of people with long COVID, this is genuinely scary . It can take your career away, Matthew said. COVID is not only underreported and underestimated, he said, but also undertreated.The physician cited a recent pre-print study estimating 48,000 deaths could have been prevented if just half of all people eligible for the antiviral drug Paxlovid had taken it between December 2021 and February 2023. Protecting Yourself and Others It isnt only lifesaving drugs that are sitting on shelves. Vaccines, too, are gathering dust. As of the end of 2023, only one in five eligible adults and fewer than one in 10 children were up to date on COVID-19 vaccinations, according to the CDC.But vaccines against COVID, flu, and RSV remain available, and the Vermont Department of Health advises eligible Vermonters to stay up to date on them.Everyone over six months of age is eligible for flu and COVID-19 shots; information about where to find them is at vaccines.gov. The RSV vaccination is for people aged 60 or older and for those in late pregnancy, while the protective antibody nirsevimab is available for certain young children.The department advises people to stay home if they are sick, to mask in the event of symptoms or when around young children or medically vulnerable people, and to limit close contact with infants vulnerable to RSV.(Norovirus, a gastrointestinal infection, is transmitted through food, drink, or contact with an infected person, and alcohol hand sanitizer does not deactivate it. Instead, remove it by washing your hands thoroughly with soap and hot water.)At-home COVID tests can be ordered in limited quantities at Covid.gov. People are encouraged by the National Institutes of Health to report their results, whether positive or negative, at MakeMyTestCount.org. Those who test positive may be eligible for Paxlovid. TestToTreat.org offers information and free medication for some.Because respiratory viruses spread through the air, filtering indoor air or ensuring it is well ventilated reduces the risk. Instructions for building an inexpensive air purifier out of a box fan and HEPA filters can be found at CleanAirCrew.org. Well-sealed, high-quality masks such as N95s that are worn consistently also reduce the risk of getting infected.Immunizations are imperfect. Masks are imperfect. But were in every case trying to increase the protection of our staff, our clientele, our families, Matthew said. UNDERWRITING SUPPORT PROVIDED BY

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Masking Returns to Health Centers as Winter Viruses Surge - The Montpelier Bridge

With the new year, three upper respiratory viruses have begun to spread among Americans. COVID-19, seasonal influenza and respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, have all been infecting people and making them sick.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has been doing what it does well, which is the tracking of these viruses. So where does the nation stand right now, and should you be concerned?

Tracking these infections is challenging unless a person visits a hospitals emergency room for a severe case.

Regarding COVID-19, the CDC COVID-19 Data Tracker provides weekly updates of test positivity, emergency department visits and severity indicators, i.e., hospitalizations and deaths. Measures like these provide a way to make sense of the public health risk across the population.

Using hospitalizations based on new hospital admissions per 100,000 people across the 3,220 counties in the nation, the number of counties with a rate of 20 or more new admissions per 100,000 reached 306 in the week ending Dec. 30, or just under 10% of all counties. This number has been steadily increasing from the summer. However, it had dropped to 146 for the week ending Jan. 13.

Yet looking back to the 2022-23 winter season, the nation reached its peak just after the new year, when 640 counties had a rate of at least 20 or more new admissions per 100,000. What is clear this season is that the trend is continuing, and if the trend is replicated, the peak population risk period may have already been reached.

The Influenza Hospitalization Surveillance Network, or FluSurv-NET, provides weekly updates on hospital admissions for seasonal influenza. The numbers are just beginning to rise this season, with the overall rate running around 8 per 100,000 for the week ending Dec. 30, with a dip occurring in the first week of 2024. Not surprisingly, the age groups most affected are the young and the elderly.

The Respiratory Syncytial Virus Hospitalization Surveillance Network, or RSV-NET, provides weekly updates on hospital admissions for RSV. These rates are significantly lower than the rates for COVID-19 and influenza, except for the rate for those younger than 4, which is more than 10 times higher than any other age group.

So what can people do to protect themselves and their loved ones?

Though COVID-19 is clearly the most dangerous of the three, the good news is that the variants that are circulating now appear to be producing fewer severe outcomes than last year, based on hospitalization data. We will know sometime in February whether this trend holds.

Still, the youngest and oldest among us, as well as those with certain health conditions, remain vulnerable to poor outcomes. That fact has been true since March 2020. Moreover, all the new variants are linked to the omicron variant, which means that the current vaccine is likely to provide some protection.

Influenza has been tracked for decades; this season so far resembles prior years. Not enough time has passed to determine whether this flu season will be as severe as the 2017-2018 season.

RSV continues to affect the very young most severely.

Should people shelter in place during this period? No. At the same time, they should take reasonable cautions to protect the most vulnerable. Parents with children younger than 4 should be mindful to keep their children as safe as possible from RSV. If a child shows upper respiratory symptoms, keep them at home and follow CDC recommended treatment plans.

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Those who have elderly parents can follow the same advice with respect to influenza.

COVID-19 has a wider footprint of impact across the population. Following safeguards and using good judgment will reduce peoples risk.

Though some have described this respiratory season as a tripledemic, the variability inherent in these three respiratory viruses means that there are no one-size-fits-all guidelines. Each of us must consider the risks we face, as well as our loved ones, recognizing the different symptoms of each and potential impact on our lives.

The CDC data certainly informs our choices. What continues to be needed is straightforward, commonsense advice on how to use them.

So should you be concerned? It is never beneficial to get sick. Avoiding infection, no matter which one, continues to be sound advice.

Sheldon H. Jacobson is a professor of computer science at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. A data scientist, he applies his expertise in data-driven risk-based decision-making to evaluate and inform public policy.

Submit a letter, of no more than 400 words, to the editor here or email letters@chicagotribune.com.

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Sheldon H. Jacobson: COVID-19, RSV and flu cases have risen. Should you be concerned? - Chicago Tribune

Almost 96 percent of Southern elephant seal pups across Argentina born in 2023 have met a tragic end as a highly contagious strain of avian influenza continues to wreak havoc on wildlife.

The scale of mortality sparks concerns that the H5N1 strain is now capable of mammal-to-mammal infection.

"The sight of elephant seals found dead or dying along the breeding beaches can only be described as apocalyptic," says Wildlife Conservation Society (WCS) health director Chris Walzer.

The three beaches where the species breeds were littered with over 17,000 bodies of baby Southern elephant seals (Mirounga leonina).

"This 2023 die-off contrasts starkly with the 18,000 pups born and successfully weaned in 2022," explains Walzer.

This amounts to the loss of nearly an entire generation of elephant seals in the region. As these animals take at least three years to reach maturity, the impact on their population may not be felt until 2027 when there are fewer available breeding adults to produce subsequent generations.

While H5N1 has been around since 1996, it was mostly circulating among domesticated birds for years, leading to the culling of hundreds of millions of animals. Moving into wild bird populations, it has now reached Antarctica, possibly exacerbated by changes in migration schedules thanks to climate change.

Just last week a polar bear was confirmed to have been killed by avian influenza in a world first, adding to a fast growing list of mammal victims that include endangered Caspian seals, grizzly bears, dolphins, otters, mink, and foxes. All up the virus has infected about 345 bird and mammals species.

The majority of mammals impacted so far are predators, prompting some experts to suggest they likely caught the virus directly from their prey rather than from each other. So the virus may not yet be capable of spreading between mammals.

But elephant seal pups, who drink their mothers milk, don't tend to come in contact with bird fluids.

"Nursing pups remain close to their mothers and opportunities for interaction with birds (mainly gulls) are basically restricted to the context of birds eating placentas during diurnal births," WCS ecologist Claudio Campagna and colleagues explain in a report.

"This is all highly suggestive of some sort of transmission between mammals," wildlife veterinarian Marcela Uhart from University of California, Davis, told Luke Taylor at New Scientist.

While mammal-to-mammal transmission is not yet confirmed, it is a very real possibility. As we've all experienced first hand with the COVID pandemic, viruses are frighteningly good at adapting. Influenzas are particularly notorious for their ability to change things up, and researchers have already identified shifts in H5N1 receptor binding proteins that would make them better at infecting human hosts.

Influenza viruses tend to be extremely contagious and H5N1 is no exception. A virulence measure known as R naught has a value of up to 100 for H5N1 in birds. That means each infected individual has the potential to infect up to 100 others. For comparison, the R naught for early COVID-19 variants ranged from 1.5 to 7.

As far as we know, humans have so far only caught bird flu from other animals on rare occasions. Last year there were a total of 248 reported cases, with 139 fatalities. This means Avian influenza has a staggering fatality rate of 56 percent in humans so far.

In light of these events, the World Health Organization is urging health officials to prepare for continued spillover into human populations as the virus continues to rage through livestock and wildlife.

They advise us all to avoid contact with sick or dead animals and to report all such cases to animal health authorities.

If we can swiftly prevent spread in outbreak areas through vaccination then the virus will have less opportunity to develop a way to sustainably spread between people.

"The cost of inaction is already causing major devastation to wildlife," warns Walzer. "As we work to help affected populations recover, we must remain vigilant against the spread of this deadly pathogen to people before it's too late."

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Bird Flu Has Made a Terrifying Leap That's Devastated Argentina's Seal Populations - ScienceAlert

Health care professionals have been issuing the alarm about a trifecta of viruses hitting Americans this winter: COVID-19, the flu and RSV.

But should we be on alert for a fourth one as well norovirus? Medical experts say there are several ways you can protect yourself and your family from this very contagious virus so it doesnt put a damper on your winter plans.

We are seeing it here in Steamboat, said Lauren Bryan, infection prevention program manager at UCHealth Yampa Valley Medical Center. This time of year, were stuck indoors and touching the same surfaces, which is an optimal way for it to spread.

Norovirus is an incredibly contagious virus causing diarrhea and vomiting. Its spread through fecal material if someone doesnt wash their hands thoroughly after using the bathroom, for example, or after changing a dirty diaper.

Its a super contagious, super virulent virus, she said. It an equal-opportunity virus as well as it attacks the young and the old.

Once someone is infected, it can be passed to others unknowingly through direct contact such as through sharing food or utensils. It often sweeps through schools, child care centers and nursing homes, or other places where people are in close proximity with each other.

While its sometimes called a stomach bug or flu, its not caused by an influenza virus. You can get it any time of the year, although its most prevalent in the winter. Bryan said she sees cases even into June.

Norovirus differs from the flu in that it has a shorter duration, usually lasting one to three days, and doesnt cause a fever, sore throat or other upper respiratory symptoms like influenza, RSV or COVID-19.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, norovirus is responsible for nearly 1 million pediatric visits each year, 900 deaths (mostly among adults aged 65 and older) and 109,000 hospitalizations.

The most common symptoms are:

For skiers and riders, Bryan suggests they carry hand sanitizer.

Think about it: Everyone is using the gondolas and touching the same common areas when you come into the restaurants to take a break and eat, she said. Once you touch these surfaces and then put your hand in a glove or mitten, its the perfect warm and moist environment for bacteria and germs to thrive.

Theres no treatment per se, but there are steps to manage it to make you feel less miserable, she said.

Most importantly, stay hydrated with fluids that contain electrolytes.

You want something that has some salt and potassium since you are losing electrolytes, and they need to be replenished, said Bryan.

Also important: Seek care if you cant keep fluids down, if you become dizzy or if your urine is dark. For children, she suggests taking them to a medical provider if they are complaining of a dry throat or mouth.

Its a miserable couple of days but hang in there and stay hydrated, she said. If you cant, we want you to seek care.

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Monday Medical: Take precautions to keep you and your family protected against norovirus - Steamboat Pilot & Today

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NC flu deaths increase to 146 as respiratory virus cases - like COVID 19 and RSV - decline across North Carolina: NCDHHS - WTVD-TV

Winter can be a nightmare for parents and caregivers with small children as they face the quadruple threat of influenza, respiratory syncytial virus, COVID-19 and an invasive group A streptococcal bacteria.

These illnesses can sometimes lead to complications in young kids, especially those with underlying health conditions.

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Heres a guide to the latest information on all four seasonal illnesses and what to watch for in young children:

Invasive group A streptococcal bacteria, or strep A, typically causes mild illness in children, but infections can be more dangerous when it invades the lungs or blood or spreads along the tissue surrounding a muscle. There is no vaccine but most cases can be treated with antibiotics.

The agency issued a bulletin in December about the high level of strep A infections circulating in the province and then on Thursday confirmed that four kids had died.

B.C.s health officials also say cases have gone up significantly over the past year. The B.C. CDC says there were 60 reported cases of the invasive bacterial infections last year in people under age 20, three times as many as in 2022.

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What strep A symptoms should parents watch for?

A fever for more than five days in a child of any age.

Fever with either a fine red rash (skin texture like sandpaper), full body rash like a sunburn and red, swollen tongue.

A fever in a child under three months, a child with immune system issues or complex chronic health issues.

A child struggling to breathe, for example when the chest appears to sink in around the breastbone on each breath, possibly with grunting or head-bobbing on each breath in a young infant;

Pale skin and whitish or blue lips.

A child who is very sleepy or having difficulty waking up.

A child becoming very sick quickly.

Respiratory syncytial virus is a common respiratory virus that usually causes mild, cold-like symptoms. Most children have had it at least once by age two. But it can also cause respiratory tract infections such as bronchiolitis and pneumonia, and is one of the leading causes of hospitalizations among young children.

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An otherwise healthy child will likely recover at home but parents should call their doctor if their child isnt responding to fever-reducing medicine.

The virus spreads easily in crowded settings, such as child-care facilities and preschools. Children attending school often spread the virus to their parents and siblings. The incubation period the time from exposure to RSV until you have symptoms ranges from two to eight days, according to the BCCDC.

What RSV symptoms should parents watch for?

If a child has a fever that lasts longer than five days, take them to the emergency room at the hospital.

Any child under three months of age with a fever should to go to the ER.

Flu-like symptoms with rapid or laboured breathing, bluish or whitish lips and a sandpaper-type rash with a fever.

Difficulty breathing, wheezing.

Babies with RSV may also have no energy, act fussy or cranky and be less hungry than usual.

Coughing that is getting worse. A child may choke or vomit from intense coughing.

Lethargy, increased tiredness, decreased interest in surroundings or loss of interest in food.

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This strain is included in this years vaccine so parents and caregivers are encouraged to vaccinate children. Vaccination against the flu may also reduce the risk of a severe outcome with other seasonal illnesses like RSV and strep A.

For children at high risk of severe complications, parents should consider talking to their care-provider about early access to an influenza antiviral drug called oseltamivir (Tamiflu), which is most effective against influenza if started within 12 hours, and ideally not later than 48 hours after illness onset, according to the BCCDC.

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Other children and teens at risk include those who have difficulty breathing, swallowing or a risk of choking on food or fluids, such as people with severe brain damage, spinal cord injury, seizures or neuromuscular disorders. Children who are overweight or those who are required to take Aspirin for long periods of time are also at higher risk.

The BCCDC says most children with influenza and other respiratory viruses recover safely at home without the need for medical intervention. However, there can be more severe cases that require hospitalization.

What flu symptoms should parents watch for?

Difficulty breathing or fever in a child under three months of age should seek immediate medical attention.

A fever with a stiff neck or a severe headache.

If your child seems confused, doesnt know where they are or is extremely sleepy or hard to wake up.

Coughing all the time.

Signs of dehydration such as sunken eyes with few tears, dry mouth with little or no spit, and little or no urine for six hours.

New symptoms such as a rash, an earache, or a sore throat.

COVID is a respiratory disease caused by the virus SARS-CoV-2, and is spread mainly from person-to-person. The illness and virus were first identified in 2019. The WHO declared a pandemic in March 2020.

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While children can contract COVID just as adults can, the good news is that kids are less likely to become severely ill. Some may not even show symptoms of having the illness. However, some children need to be hospitalized and treated in intensive care. Babies under age one may be at a higher risk of severe illness with COVID than older children.

B.C. provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry said last week that COVID cases are showing signs of increasing with 219 people in hospital and 26 people in intensive care. But she said almost all people in the province have some degree of immunity, due to infection or vaccination.

What COVID symptoms should parents watch for?

The common symptoms are similar to flu: fever, chills, runny nose, shortness of breath, cough, muscle aches and upset stomach.

There can also be loss of taste or smell (this doesnt occur with flu) and extreme fatigue.

Seek medical attention if your child has difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.

Persistent pain or pressure in the chest.

Confusion or inability to arouse.

Bluish lips or face.

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With files from Joseph Ruttle, Cheryl Chan and The Canadian Press

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Guide to RSV, flu, COVID-19 and strep A: What parents and caregivers should know - Vancouver Sun

CLEVELAND, Ohio Levels of respiratory illnesses such as COVID-19, RSV and flu are high in Ohio and Kentucky, according to the latest data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In surrounding states, Indiana, Pennsylvania and Michigan have moderate levels of respiratory viruses, while West Virginia has low levels.

The CDC provides weekly updates on how COVID-19, influenza, and RSV is spreading nationally.

Emergency department visits due to illness related to influenza, COVID-19, and RSV remain elevated in many areas of the country, but recent decreases also have been reported, the CDC said Friday.

The CDC also calculates levels of respiratory viruses by state, based on the percentage of reported visits to outpatient healthcare providers or hospital emergency departments for fever, cough or sore throat.

Flu activity across Ohio and the rest of the United States is being driven by the H1N1 strain formerly called swine flu.

The COVID-19 JN.1 variant, which is better at evading the vaccine, is dominant in this country and globally, health experts said.

RSV, or respiratory syncytial virus, causes respiratory tract infections and spreads through coughs, sneezes and germs on surfaces. In children under age 2, severe RSV can lead to pneumonia and hospitalization.

RSV can also cause severe illness in the elderly.

Vaccines against influenza, COVID-19 and RSV are the best protection against severe illness, according to health experts.

Influenza vaccinations are available at many drugstores, retail stores, the Cuyahoga County Board of Health and doctors offices. Most health insurances cover the cost.

To find a flu shot near you, use this vaccine finder, or call the Cuyahoga County Board of Health at 216-201-2041 to make an appointment to get the flu shot.

The Cleveland Department of Public Health has two health centers that provide flu shots, with walk-ins welcome.

All adults should receive at least one dose of the updated formula of the COVID-19 vaccine, according to the CDC. The number of doses needed and intervals between doses may vary depending on a patients prior vaccination history, whether they are immunocompromised, and the vaccine product used.

Pregnant women, parents of infants and adults over 65 should talk to their physician about the RSV vaccine.

Julie Washington covers healthcare for cleveland.com. Read previous stories at this link.

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This is how high respiratory virus levels are in Ohio, across most of U.S. - cleveland.com

Fukuoka

Blowflies may be carriers of avian influenza viruses, a Japanese research team said recently, as the country grapples with infections that have led to widespread bird culls and driven up food prices.

With new outbreaks reported late last year following heavy culls the previous season, the research team led by Ryosuke Fujita, an associate professor at Kyushu University's Graduate School of Bioresource and Bioenvironmental Sciences, is urging chicken farms to use insect-proof nets to contain the spread of the virus.

In December 2022, the team analyzed around 650 blowfly samples collected from some 30 locations in the city of Izumi, Kagoshima Prefecture, where bird flu cases were confirmed, and found traces of the avian influenza virus in up to about 15% of the flies' digestive systems.

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Blowflies may be bird flu virus carriers, Japan researchers find - The Japan Times