Health & Lifestyle

Health officials warn of Thanksgiving triple threat as Covid, flu and RSV start to rise ahead of holidays

Americans have been warned of a ‘Thanksgiving triple threat’ of Covid, flu and RSV, as they prepare to meet with family and friends to celebrate the holiday.

Cases of all three viruses are on the rise nationwide, surveillance shows, particularly across southern and southwestern areas.

Dr Bill Messer, a molecular biologist in Oregon, warned there was a ‘kind of triple threat’ emerging, although no single virus was ahead of the others yet.

And this time of year is particularly risky, because it brings together large numbers of people indoors – usually in close quarters.

He urged people to consider face masks in crowded locations and to avoid touching their noses and mouths. 

He also encouraged all Americans to get vaccinated against all three viruses.

FLU: This map shows flu levels by state. It reveals cases of flu were highest in southern and south-western regions of the US last week

FLU: This map shows flu levels by state. It reveals cases of flu were highest in southern and south-western regions of the US last week

COVID: Wastewater surveillance suggests Covid cases are now starting to rise again, as the level of virus detected in wastewater is increasing

COVID: Wastewater surveillance suggests Covid cases are now starting to rise again, as the level of virus detected in wastewater is increasing

RSV: The above graph shows how respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) - which infects the lungs and can be fatal - is also on the rise across the US

RSV: The above graph shows how respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – which infects the lungs and can be fatal – is also on the rise across the US

Speaking to KOIN, he said that ‘no virus’ appears to be the over-riding threat this year.

But, he added: ‘We know from very recent experience that this holiday season is going to bring one or more of these to the surface for sure.

Dr Bill Messer, an infectious diseases expert in Oregon, warned of the rising cases

Dr Bill Messer, an infectious diseases expert in Oregon, warned of the rising cases

‘We need to do everything we can to limit that impact on ourselves and family members and friends who we’re seeing now over the holidays.’

The diseases expert suggested people should wash their hands before and after meals and sneeze into the crook of their arms to avoid being infected.

He also suggested keeping hands away from the eyes, mouth and nose, which are easily infected areas of the face.

Dr Messer added: ‘Things like maintaining good air circulation in your rooms, an open window, fans, air purifiers, all keep air moving, all improve circulation… decrease the chances of the spread of some pathogens.’

Dr Matthew Sims, the Corewell East Infectious Disease Research Director in Chicago, also warned of the triple threat.

He told a local news station: ‘Every year, we’ve talked about the triple threat and every year we’ve had some cases where it is bad.

‘We’ve had times where we’ve really had overload in the hospital.

‘Again, all three of the viruses are on the rise.

‘Take precautions. There’s nothing that prevents you from getting exposed to more than one virus’.

This graph shows the number of Americans admitted to hospital with  flu is starting to tick up as winter approaches

This graph shows the number of Americans admitted to hospital with  flu is starting to tick up as winter approaches

The above reveals rising cases of flu in the US. The dominant type this year is Type A, which generally causes a milder disease

The above reveals rising cases of flu in the US. The dominant type this year is Type A, which generally causes a milder disease

Covid cases rose in eight states last week, according to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data.

And analyses of wastewater surveillance suggest infections are increasing nationwide. 

Meanwhile, Covid hospital admissions hit 16,000 in the week to November 11, compared to almost 15,000 the previous week. 

Although this is well below the 24,000 recorded at the same time last year.

CDC data also shows flu cases are rising nationwide and in seven states.

The common virus can be deadly for those with chronic conditions, killing up to 52,000 Americans every year.  

The worst affected state is Louisiana, where hospital admissions related to the respiratory illness doubled last week.

Nationwide, flu hospitalizations rose 50 percent in a week to 8,000 patients.

Deaths have risen 48 percent, to 490 fatalities.

The flu is also taking off a month earlier than normal, which researchers say may be a result of the long-lasting hangover of Covid lockdowns. 

People are still travelling more than ever, to make up for the time lost during the pandemic.  

Also of concern is the rising cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) – a respiratory virus that infects the lungs and breathing passages, and mostly affects young children and elderly people.

The positivity rate — proportion of nationwide tests that detect the virus — hit 14 percent last week, compared to below 10 percent last month. 

Vaccines have been made available for all three respiratory illnesses for those aged six months and up, but uptake is not as high as experts had hoped.

Latest data showed about 65 per cent of adults have not yet had a flu shots – while the figure is around 70 per cent in children. 

Estimates suggest about 20 percent of US adults have also come forward for the updated Covid vaccine which was made available in September.

Just 14 percent of Americans aged over 60 have had an RSV vaccine.


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