Despite low COVID-19 levels, the Bay Area is experiencing a surge in respiratory illnesses, primarily influenza B and enterovirus-D68 (EV-D68). Data from WastewaterScan indicates high circulation of these viruses, with a notably severe flu season reported this year. Dr. Monica Gandhi highlighted that California previously faced a flu rate nearing 28%. While the rate has been declining since February, infectious diseases remain a concern, especially EV-D68, which can affect children and lead to long-term health issues if not monitored.
"We had a really terrible flu season this year," Dr. Monica Gandhi, a professor of medicine at UC San Francisco, told SFGATE.
"There's no doubt there's a lot of respiratory viruses," Gandhi said.
Though it usually has little impact on adults, if unchecked, it can lead to severe, life-long impacts on children and teenagers.
Rates of the illness were particularly high in the U.S. in 2014, resulting in 1,153 infections in 49 states.
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