This winter has seen an increase in respiratory illnesses, raising concern among government and public health officials. Top respiratory illnesses include influenza, COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
During the most recently recorded week of Jan. 25 through Feb. 1, the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services reported 2,817 respiratory-virus related emergency department admissions — a 9 percent increase from the previous week.
From October to May each year, the NCDHHS Division of Public Health releases a weekly update on the spread of various respiratory diseases in North Carolina.
According to the NCDHHS Detailed Respiratory Virus Surveillance Dashboard, influenza-like viruses were the most commonly identified respiratory virus this year. The Public Health Epidemiologist Network, which is based on hospital data, reported 5,842 positive influenza tests in the last week to the NCDHHS.
The Center for Disease Control expects the fall and winter virus season to have a similar or lower peak number of combined hospitalizations from COVID-19, influenza and RSV compared to last year, but higher than what they were before the COVID-19 pandemic.
Despite fewer influenza-related deaths reported in the 2024-25 season in North Carolina compared to last year, State Epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore said in a NCDHHS press release that the state is at the height of seasonal respiratory illnesses.
According to the CDC, influenza viruses spread via droplets transferred between people while coughing, sneezing or talking.
To protect themselves from the flu, the World Health Organization recommends that people wash their hands regularly, avoid touching their face, avoid being around ill people and isolate themselves when sick. The NCDHHS recommends that everyone over the age of 6 months receive vaccinations against the influenza and COVID-19.
“Getting vaccinated also provides increased protection against long term health implications of getting really sick,” Dr. Elizabeth Cuervo Tilson, state health director and NCDHHS chief medical officer, said in a press release last fall.
