Updates | Respiratory Viruses and the Holidays, World Pneumonia Day, and More! - 11/22/2024

This message includes updates on respiratory viruses from CDC.

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November 22, 2024 This message includes updates on respiratory viruses from CDC.

Reduce Your Risk from Respiratory Viruses This Holiday Season     While respiratory virus activity is currently at low levels overall around the country, CDC anticipates that will change. Peaks of respiratory disease activity usually happen from about December to February. Several different respiratory viruses spread more during fall and winter, including those that cause flu, COVID-19, and RSV illness.     The holidays are coming, and large gatherings, travel, and more time indoors can mean more viruses spreading. Fortunately, we have tools to help us stay healthy so we can enjoy the time we spend with our families, friends, and neighbors.  There’s still time to benefit from getting your recommended immunizations to reduce your risk of illness, especially severe illness and hospitalization.  For people who do get sick with flu and COVID-19, antiviral medications for each of these illnesses are recommended for people who are at higher risk of severe illness.  You can also protect yourself and others with everyday prevention actions, like covering coughs and sneezes, improving ventilation, staying home and away from others when you are sick (including people you live with), and washing hands often.

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World Pneumonia Day November 12 was World Pneumonia Day. Pneumonia is a leading cause of death among children under 5 years of age, with the majority of deaths occurring in southern Asia and sub-Saharan Africa. Immunizations and appropriate treatment (like antibiotics and antivirals) could prevent many of those deaths.   In the United States, CDC recommends 8 routine vaccines that can prevent pneumonia: COVID-19 Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) Influenza Measles Pertussis (whooping cough) Pneumococcal Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) Varicella (chickenpox) Learn More

National Native American Heritage Month: Protecting American Indian and Alaska Native Families from RSV  Children who are American Indian/Alaska Native (AI/AN) are 4–10 times more likely to get severe respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) compared to children who are part of other communities.   Social determinants of health, such as lack of running water, household overcrowding, and poor indoor air quality, may contribute to these health disparities among AI/AN children compared to children in other communities. Addressing these underlying environmental factors is crucial to mitigating health disparities and promoting health equity among AI/AN children.   CDC recommends all babies be protected from severe RSV by one of two immunization options (most babies do not need both): A maternal RSV vaccine given to the mother during weeks 32–36 of pregnancy or An RSV antibody called nirsevimab, given to the baby after birth. Nirsevimab is also recommended for a small group of young children 8 through 19 months of age who are at increased risk for severe RSV.  This nirsevimab dose should be given shortly before the child’s second RSV season. This group includes: Children who were born prematurely and have chronic lung disease Children with severe immunocompromise Children with severe cystic fibrosis American Indian and Alaska Native children Learn More

Long COVID by Industry and Occupation  Long COVID is a serious illness that can affect your daily activities, reduce your ability to work, and may even result in a disability. New research shows that workers with Long COVID report higher rates of many functional disabilities and worse measures of well-being, compared to workers who did not have Long COVID. COVID-19 vaccination is the best way to prevent Long COVID, but additional prevention strategies are important for limiting the impact of future waves of respiratory viruses on workers and workforces. Learn More

Respiratory Virus Data Channel Weekly Snapshot  The Respiratory Virus Weekly Snapshot provides an update on COVID-19, flu, and RSV activity nationally and in your state. Check back every Friday for the latest data.

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