Number of emergency room patients due to flu skyrocketed in the US

Two respiratory diseases, seasonal flu and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), are on the rise in many parts of the country, including California - the largest state in the US.

The US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says that at the moment, the number of people going to the emergency room for flu is very high, while the number of people going to the emergency room for RSV is moderate.

The activity level of the SARS-CoV-2 virus that causes Covid-19 has also increased, but the number of cases requiring emergency care is considered very low.

In California alone, wastewater testing results show that influenza activity is very high, RSV is high, but Covid-19 is low.

High levels could be a sign that someone is sick enough to require treatment, the CDC explains. People who are sick without symptoms often shed the virus into the environment. So high levels in wastewater could be a sign of an increase in the number of people infected, even if other indicators remain low.

The CDC predicts that the number of people hospitalized for the above respiratory illnesses may still be much higher than before the Covid-19 pandemic outbreak.

To prevent respiratory illnesses, the CDC recommends that people wash their hands thoroughly and often with soap, especially after using the toilet and then cooking or eating.

For colds and flu, the CDC recommends thoroughly cleaning frequently touched surfaces like doorknobs, light switches, countertops, toys, and phones.

Because Covid-19 is spread through talking, coughing, and sneezing, the CDC recommends that people cover their mouths and noses with a tissue whenever they feel a scratchy throat or nose, and then wash their hands. Even if they are not sick, people should wear masks in crowded places to prevent respiratory illnesses.

According to the CDC, people 6 months and older should get an updated dose of the Covid-19 vaccine and a flu shot every year, while pregnant women or people 60 years and older should get the RSV vaccine.

Notovirus outbreak at wildfire evacuation center

In another development, US officials confirmed a norovirus outbreak at the Pasadena Evacuation Center in California, which is housing victims of the recent devastating wildfires.

The three cases recorded at this center are among a group of 28 people battling acute gastrointestinal illness caused by norovirus.

Norovirus has been on the rise across the United States this winter. According to the Pasadena Public Health Department (PPHD), symptoms of infection include acute vomiting, diarrhea, and severe abdominal pain, while young patients may also experience dehydration.

Norovirus is mostly spread through sharing food, eating utensils or drinking water in shelters, which are places where the virus is most likely to break out due to close living conditions.

The government is looking into ways to arrange separate accommodation for patients, while also increasing medical support from elsewhere.