‘We’re probably in peak virus season.’ CT experts say state seeing spike in illnesses.

Hartford Courant – Tuesday, January 7, 2025
By Stephen Underwood

As the holiday season is now over, peak virus season has begun, according to top state infectious disease experts.

Connecticut has been seeing a spike in several types of respiratory illness cases over the past month, according to data from Yale New Haven Health. Confirmed cases of the flu, RSV, COVID-19 and norovirus, more commonly known as the “stomach-bug,” have all seen a rise in cases amid the busy holiday season.

“The holiday season really presents an ideal setting for viruses to spread as people are gathering indoors,” said Dr. Scott Roberts, associate medical director for infection prevention at Yale New Haven Hospital.

“While it’s hard to predict the future, I’m guessing we may be in peak virus season right now,” Robert said. “The numbers show all viral infections have gone up from a month ago. So we’re watching these numbers closely and advising people to take precautions if they are at high risk.”

From Dec. 22, through Dec. 28, there were 189 confirmed flu cases, 182 RSV cases, 93 COVID-19 cases, and 9 norovirus cases, according to data gathered from Yale School of Medicine’s laboratory testing on both in-patient, out-patient and emergency room patients. The week prior to that saw 109 flu cases and 85 COVID-19 cases.

But the numbers have jumped significantly since November when there were just 14 confirmed flu cases, 60 RSV cases, 49 COVID-19 cases, and four norovirus cases for the week of Nov. 24, through Nov. 30.

Another virus making the rounds this year includes human metapneumovirus, which often causes an upper respiratory infection, and produces symptoms similar to the common cold, according to Roberts. Symptoms include coughing or wheezing, having a runny nose, or a sore throat. Most cases are mild, but young children, adults over 65 and people with weakened immune systems are at a higher risk for serious illness. YNHH confirmed 10 patients had the virus between Dec. 15, and Dec. 21, according to data.

“My guess is that there are more cases of HMPV and that it is underreported,” Roberts said. “We don’t normally test for HMPV and there’s no rapid test you can take for it unlike COVID-19 or the flu. A patient would have to take a respiratory panel to diagnose it, but we don’t tend do those for outpatients. So my guess is that it’s probably more widespread than the data suggests.”

Norovirus, another virus that has been getting attention for its fast spread, is the most common cause of gastroenteritis. Infection is usually characterized by diarrhea, vomiting, and stomach pain, Roberts said. The virus is most common in the United States from November through April.

“It’s a relatively common stomach bug that we see every winter, but this year we are seeing more elevated rates than last year,” Roberts said. “I’m not particularly surprised to see that because its a very contagious disease and requires very little virus to spread from person to person. Surface contamination is really important with norovirus. So washing your hands and wiping down surfaces is very important.”

Dr. Ulysses Wu, chief epidemiologist and system director for infectious diseases for Hartford HealthCare, said that cases of norovirus and influenza are both up more than normal at this point in the year. Wu said he urges people to take necessary precautions such as washing hands frequently, wiping down surfaces, masking up if feeling sick, and getting the flu, RSV, and COVID-19 vaccines.

“The whole point of a vaccine is not to necessarily prevent a disease, the point is to blunt the response you will get,” Wu said. “Vaccines take a deadly disease and make it less deadly. So some people will say I got the flu vaccine but still got the flu. While that is true, the vaccine most likely made the response far less severe. These are important things that people need to understand.”

The CDC recommends the seasonal flu vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccine for everyone aged six months and older. The agency notes that vaccination is especially important for those who are at increased risk of severe disease such as adults 65 years and older, people with certain health conditions, nursing home residents and pregnant people. Meanwhile, the agency also recommends the RSV vaccine to protect adults who are 75 years and older, adults between 60 and 74 years old with certain health conditions, and those who live in nursing homes.

“These viruses are par for the course every year, but we are certainly seeing increases,” Wu said. “Our inpatient system is up for a variety of reasons but certainly viral infections are part of it.”

“Norovirus and influenza cases are up this year and a little more than we would like them to be. I think the causes for the elevated rates is multifold including the fact that rates spike during the holidays, but also enough people aren’t getting vaccinated,” he said.

Despite high rates of acute respiratory illnesses, vaccination coverage for COVID-19, influenza, and RSV illnesses remains low. According to the CDC, vaccination coverage for COVID-19 and influenza are low among both U.S. adults and children. Similarly, vaccination coverage for RSV remains low among U.S. adults, according to the CDC.

CDC estimates, there have been at least 5.3 million flu illnesses, 63,000 hospitalizations, and 2,700 deaths — including at least 11 children, nationwide to date this flu season, Associated Press reported.

Influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and A(H3N2) are the predominant viruses reported this flu season nationally, according to the CDC. Wu said that this year’s flu vaccine seems to be fairly accurate, safeguarding against most of the strains circulating. Seasonal influenza vaccines are designed to protect against influenza virus strains that are expected to circulate most widely during the upcoming season. To do this, researchers observe what strains are most widespread in the Southern hemisphere when it is winter there.

“There’s a myth that cold weather is the cause for people getting sick,” Wu said. “But many studies have shown that’s not really the case. The big reason is that cold weather makes people congregate indoors which causes viruses to spread more easily. We didn’t really see a spike in the fall because temperatures remained mild and people were still outside. I can’t recommend enough how important it is people get vaccinated and take proper precautions.”

Other CDC recommendations that may help reduce the spread of viruses like flu:

• Avoid close contact with people who are sick;
• If you are sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them;
• For flu, stay home, for at least 24 hours, until both are true: your symptoms are getting better overall, and you have not had fever (and are not using fever-reducing medication)
• Cover coughs and sneezes. Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it;
• Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub;
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.

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