If it seems like everyone in your circle is sick lately, recent test findings from the Cincinnati Health Department (CHD) may explain why.
CHD, who actively monitors untreated wastewater in Cincinnati in collaboration with the Ohio Department of Health and the Metropolitan Sewer District of Greater Cincinnati, has found consecutive detection of Influenza A viral genes copies in untreated wastewater.
The results of the samples collected from the Mill Creek wastewater treatment plant highlight the importance of protecting oneself and each other from viral illnesses, said Dr. Maryse Amin, assistant health commissioner at the Cincinnati Health Department.
“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,” she said.
According to a release from the department, 57 influenza hospitalizations have been reported in Cincinnati among residents of all ages, with only 14% of those hospitalized being currently vaccinated. Both Type A and Type B influenzas, including familiar viruses like A(H1-2009), AH3, and B(Victoria), have been detected.
While hospitalizations and cases are high, CHD said local indicators suggest the area still has not yet reached its peak in flu cases. They said even if you haven’t gotten a flu shot yet, you still can, and should.
“It is not too late,” CHD said.
In addition to the flu vaccine, which is available at all CHD clinics, they recommend getting the updated COVID-19 vaccine and the RSV vaccine for those 60 and older.
What about COVID?
While the Ohio Department of Health reports that COVID cases are trending downward since the holiday spike, there’s no way to know how many at-home tests are turning up positive. The state has continued to track hospitalizations, which are remaining steady, and deaths, which have ticked up in 2024.
Tiffany Mattingly of the Health Collaborative — a collective health care group featuring board members from many major hospitals in the area — said COVID is still a problem locally.
“Since the beginning of the year, hospitals have seen an increase in COVID hospitalizations across southwest Ohio, approximately five to seven percent of the inpatient beds are utilized for [patients who have a COVID diagnosis],”Mattingly said. “I would say we’re seeing the greatest impact is in the emergency department for all influenza-like illness symptoms and respiratory symptoms.”
In order to make sure hospitals aren’t overwhelmed, Mattingly said it’s important to remembered where to go for the proper care and right treatment when you’re sick.
“If you have a fever or a cough or sore throat, you could make an appointment with your primary care physician,” she said. “Or maybe if it’s a little more severe symptoms. go to the urgent care. If you’re really having difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, unable to keep down fluids or liquids, unable to reduce a fever with fever-reducing medications, those are the reasons to go to the emergency department.”
In addition to vaccines, Mattingly said testing for COVID and staying home when you’re not feeling well are the best ways to slow community spread. Free tests kits can be ordered at COVID.gov.
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This article appears in Jan 10-23, 2024.