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Influenza-like illness
Influenza-like illness (ILI) is declining around the country, now reaching low levels in most states. Nationally, the percentage of visits to the doctor that are for fever and cough or sore throat (also known as outpatient ILI) is 2.1%, down from 2.7% the week prior. Activity is typical for this time of year.
Slightly elevated regions (Northeast and West)
The Northeast has struggled with elevated activity due to flu B. All states except Vermont saw improvements in outpatient ILI, though New Jersey remains quite high at 3.5%. ED visits for flu are declining in all states.
In the West, New Mexico and California are still above 3% outpatient ILI, though both are heading in the right direction. California, at least, has very low ED visits, despite the slightly high outpatient ILI. Hawaii also still has elevated ED visits for influenza (no outpatient data available).
Regions with lower activity (South and Midwest)
The South looks fine, with all states below 3% outpatient ILI. Florida and Texas are stable rather than declining, but at a low 2.6% and 1.9% respectively. ED visits for flu are declining in all states. The Midwest is in very good shape.
By age group
As always, the youngest children are seeing the highest levels of outpatient ILI, with kids ages 0-4 at 6.9% outpatient ILI, and school aged children next at 3.6%. All age groups are seeing declining activity, a welcome relief after a long season.
Covid-19
Activity remains low and stable, continuing a months-long trend. Wastewater concentration is low or very low in all four regions of the country.
The South looks a little elevated compared to the other regions per wastewater (though still in the low category), but that is not evidence in data on emergency department visits, so I don't think it necessarily reflects clinical illness.
RSV
Activity has finally receded, with all four regions reporting less than 0.5% of visits to the emergency department. The Midwest is a few weeks behind the other regions, which are finally in good shape.
Norovirus
Norovirus activity is stable, with test positivity ranging from 7.2% in the Northeast to 15.4% in the South. We should see improvements as we move into summer, but norovirus never really fully recedes.
Food Recalls
New:
- Good Brain Tonic (more info)
Previously Reported:
- USDA has retracted a recall for ready-to-eat dinosaur shaped chicken nuggets, sold under the Great Value label sold at Walmart stores. The original recall reported elevated trace levels of lead; the retraction reports that additional testing found no elevated lead levels (more info)
- Raw Farm unpasteurized cheddar cheese, shredded and block (more info)
- Peeled garlic, sold under the Christopher Ranch and Garland brand names (more info)
- Organic bulk black beans sold by Falcon Trading Company, Inc. (more info)
- Grassfed ground beef, sold under the White Oak Pastures label (sold at Mom’s Organic Markets) (more info)
- Expanded recall of frozen chicken fried rice products, sold under multiple brand names: Trader Joe’s, Ajinomoto, Kroger, Ling Ling, and Tai Pei, due to possible glass shards (more info)
In Other News
- Maternal RSV vaccine cuts infant hospitalizations. A new maternal RSV vaccination study by the UK Health Security Agency shows that maternal respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccination program is providing over 80% protection against hospitalization for newborn infants, including those born prematurely. In the United States, around 9.4% of infants received protection through maternal immunization, and another 55.7% were covered through a product given after birth. For more information, FOI Clinical, our paid subscription newsletter for clinicians, published extensive reports on this season’s RSV activity and seasonal vaccine effectiveness for the current season.
- New nominee for CDC director. Dr. Erica Schwartz, a medical doctor, attorney, and former deputy surgeon general, has been nominated to lead the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The agency has been without a permanent leader for most of President Trump’s second term. The Senate must confirm Schwartz before she takes the helm, which could take months.