CHD: Wastewater monitoring indicates potential increase of flu virus – WLWT Cincinnati

The Cincinnati Health Department is monitoring untreated wastewater after recent results showed a potential increase of the flu virus.CHD said they're continuing to monitor untreated wastewater in Cincinnati to learn about potential viruses circulating among the population in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health and the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati."Recent results showed the consecutive detection of Influenza A viral genes copies in the untreated wastewater collected from the Mill Creek wastewater treatment plant," Maryse Amin, Ph.D., M.S., Assistant Health Commissioner, Division Director for Community Health and Environmental Health Services with the Cincinnati Health Department, said in a statement. "Detection of influenza virus in wastewater can indicate higher transmission within a community, so it is important to take precautions to minimize the negative impact of the flu and other viral illnesses such as COVID-19 and RSV."According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu viruses typically increase during the fall and winter months.CHD said that this flu season, 57 influenza hospitalizations have been reported among Cincinnati residents of all ages. CHD said that since the start of the COVID pandemic, the timing and duration of flu activity has been less predictable, but local indicators suggest that Cincinnati has not yet peaked.Health officials are urging residents to get their flu vaccine and to consistent with hygiene practices."We appreciate the Cincinnati Health Department and Metropolitan Sewer District for their work on surveillance in our community," Greg Kesterman, Hamilton County Health Commissioner, said in a statement. "It's respiratory virus season so it's not unusual to find this type of activity. This should serve as a reminder to get vaccinated the best choice for avoiding severe disease."

The Cincinnati Health Department is monitoring untreated wastewater after recent results showed a potential increase of the flu virus.

CHD said they're continuing to monitor untreated wastewater in Cincinnati to learn about potential viruses circulating among the population in partnership with the Ohio Department of Health and the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati.

"Recent results showed the consecutive detection of Influenza A viral genes copies in the untreated wastewater collected from the Mill Creek wastewater treatment plant," Maryse Amin, Ph.D., M.S., Assistant Health Commissioner, Division Director for Community Health and Environmental Health Services with the Cincinnati Health Department, said in a statement. "Detection of influenza virus in wastewater can indicate higher transmission within a community, so it is important to take precautions to minimize the negative impact of the flu and other viral illnesses such as COVID-19 and RSV."

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, flu viruses typically increase during the fall and winter months.

CHD said that this flu season, 57 influenza hospitalizations have been reported among Cincinnati residents of all ages.

CHD said that since the start of the COVID pandemic, the timing and duration of flu activity has been less predictable, but local indicators suggest that Cincinnati has not yet peaked.

Health officials are urging residents to get their flu vaccine and to consistent with hygiene practices.

"We appreciate the Cincinnati Health Department and Metropolitan Sewer District for their work on surveillance in our community," Greg Kesterman, Hamilton County Health Commissioner, said in a statement. "It's respiratory virus season so it's not unusual to find this type of activity. This should serve as a reminder to get vaccinated the best choice for avoiding severe disease."

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CHD: Wastewater monitoring indicates potential increase of flu virus - WLWT Cincinnati