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Flu activity spiking in Monroe County

By Katy Szpak

Posted February 10, 2025

Influenza A activity in Monroe County wastewater data has been on the rise since Jan. 25. (WastewaterSCAN)

Monroe County is experiencing an influenza spike higher than the last two winters. That’s according to samples collected at the Dillman Road Wastewater Treatment Plant.

The county also has elevated levels of COVID, RSV and norovirus. Reports in December showed the highest levels of norovirus ever sampled in Monroe County.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention is reporting, as of Feb. 7, very high levels of influenza nationally, both in wastewater samples and emergency room visits.

A national perspective: Winter illnesses return with a vengeance | NPR

The most recent wastewater data from the CDC is reporting high or very high influenza activity in the majority of states. (*CDC*)

Justin Greeves, assistant professor in the IU School of Public Health, says these tests can detect a spreading virus before those affected go to the hospital.

“Usually, wastewater detections are pretty good to determine whether there's an outbreak, oftentimes before the outbreak is even recognized, because people — whether they're asymptomatic or symptomatic — will contribute to the wastewater treatment plants,” Greeves said.

Generally, factors include which flu strains are stronger and how many people receive flu vaccines. Greeves said another local factor is students returning to IU for the spring semester, which began Jan. 13.

The CDC is reporting an increase in flu activity in Monroe, Brown, Greene and Owen counties. As of Feb. 1, reported emergency room visits have surpassed last year’s numbers.

Influenza accounted for 6% of emergency room visits reported on Feb. 1 in Monroe, Brown, Greene and Owen counties. — Influenza accounted for 6% of emergency room visits reported on Feb. 1. *(CDC)*

Some Indiana hospitals have started measures to combat the spread of these illnesses. IU Health in Bloomington put visitor restrictions in place in January, and Union Health in Terre Haute set up a tent outside its emergency room to hold people with respiratory symptoms while they await care.

Sarah DeWeese, director of communications for the Monroe County Community School Corporation, said the schools are seeing an increase in absences, although it is not any higher than what is expected for this time of year.

The state health department has reported 52 flu-related deaths in Indiana as of Feb. 3.