Elevated levels of flu found in local citys wastewater, as virus continues to hit Ohio hard – WJW FOX 8 News Cleveland

PAINESVILLE, Ohio (WJW) Ohio has been hit hard with the flu this season, according to data from state and federal officials.

And recently, the Painesville Water Pollution Control Plant (WPCP) has found clues in its wastewater system that further hits the point home.

WPCP announced Monday theyve found higher levels of Influenza A virus in their untreated wastewater than average. Three tests in a row showed the same results, according to the WPCP.

Detection of influenza virus in wastewater can indicate higher transmission within a community, said Maya Scullin, MPH, Epidemiologist with the Ohio Department of Health.

In an interactive map, The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention(CDC) showed that Ohio is continuing to sit at very high in its Outpatient Respiratory Illness Activity.

In the U.S., about 200,000 people are estimated to be hospitalized with the illness each year, leading health officials to continue to advocate for flu vaccines for anyone six months and older.

Northeast Ohio has especially been hit hard with flu-related hospitalizations this season, as seen in this Ohio Department of Health graphic below:

The average flu season typically continues through March. Find out how to get a vaccine righthere.

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Elevated levels of flu found in local citys wastewater, as virus continues to hit Ohio hard - WJW FOX 8 News Cleveland