Peak Infection Season: What New Yorkers Are Sick With Now
'16.01.2025'
ForumDaily New York
Is everyone around you sick? That sounds about right. New York City is currently in the grip of a seasonal respiratory illness outbreak. TheCity found out the latest data on viruses.
Flu
The number of people with the flu in New York is huge. Hospitalizations in the state, as of January 4, increased by 44% compared to the previous week. The increase is seen in all regions of the state.
Activity influenza started later this year than last year. It has not yet reached its peak (unlike last year, when it reached its peak in the last week of December).
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Only time will tell whether the number of severe cases will be the same as last year or even worse. It is a good idea to take protective measures against the flu: wear a mask in crowded places (when traveling, on the subway, in supermarkets, etc.), avoid social interactions if you feel unwell. The flu usually comes in a second wave after some time due to the circulation of the type B virus. Now in most cases - type A (affects both humans and animals).
Viruses may return in March or April, so it's not too late to do something vaccination flu medication at your local pharmacy or clinic.
RSV
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) has peaked and cases are now declining in New York City. This season's peak was about two weeks later than last year.
Overall, it has been an average season, with the same number of cases recorded so far as last year.
High RSV activity is expected to continue for several more weeks.
Norovirus
Cases of norovirus, also known as the Norwalk virus, have risen sharply in New York City and many other parts of the United States. Norovirus is a highly contagious group of viruses that cause gastrointestinal problems, vomiting, and diarrhea. It is the most common cause of the so-called stomach flu. There are 19 to 20 million cases in the United States each year. New York City reported about 1300 cases in December, nearly three times the 2023 cases it reported in the same period in 488.
Norovirus is spread through contact with infected people, contaminated surfaces, and food. It is highly contagious. When infected with norovirus, people shed billions of virus particles, but only a few are enough to infect. Unfortunately, hand sanitizer does not kill this virus because it has no outer shell.
To prevent the spread of norovirus, you should:
- wash your hands frequently with soap and warm or hot water for at least 20 seconds;
- use detergents with bleach to clean surfaces;
- thoroughly clean any materials that have been in contact with people infected with norovirus (bedding, towels, dishes, cutlery, door handles, and especially bathroom surfaces).
Most people recover from norovirus on their own within 2 to 3 days.
Bird flu
Last week, news emerged of the first death from bird flu (H5N1) in the United States.
Fortunately, we have not yet seen any human-to-human transmission of this virus. Only two of the 74 cases identified in the United States have had severe disease.
The risk to New Yorkers is low at this time, but it is important to keep in mind that cattle testing is voluntary.
New York is part of a national milk testing program initiated by the U.S. Department of Agriculture. The state is one of 28 that test milk (both pasteurized and raw) for H5N1.