JACKSON, Wyo. — The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Wastewater Surveillance System confirmed especially “high levels” of influenza A (the flu) in Teton County this winter.
Influenza A is a respiratory virus that causes infection of the nose, throat and lungs, other symptoms can include body aches, sore throat and fever. The CDC wrote on its website that the virus is highly contagious and can be spread through air droplets up to 6 feet away when someone with the infection coughs, sneezes or talks.
The CDC recorded especially “high levels” of influenza A in Teton County’s wastewater over the past month. St. John’s Health Chief Communications Officer Karen Connelly also told Buckrail that cases of influenza A dramatically rose in Jackson starting in January.
“We had two cases in October, two cases in November and 85 cases in December,” Connelly said. “The uptick happened in January, when we had 184 cases. February, to date, we have had 159 cases.”
She added that earlier in the winter there were more COVID cases. St. John’s Health has not recorded influenza A case data from previous years, according to Connelly.
The National Wastewater Surveillance System records influenza A levels across all wastewater treatment plants in the country. CDC’s data states that the national wastewater viral activity level for influenza A is currently rated “high,” compared to sites in Teton County that have recorded “very high” levels over the past 30 days. In January 2024, wastewater data was also rated as “very high” across Wyoming, compared to January 2023 when it was rated as “moderate.”
According to the CDC, wastewater is tested for viruses because people with certain infections can shed pieces of the virus or bacteria when they use the bathroom, shower, wash hands or launder clothing, even if they don’t have symptoms. These pieces of virus or bacteria travel from the toilet, sink or shower through the sewage system. Laboratories test the wastewater sample to detect and report on the different types of infections that are circulating in a community, although wastewater testing cannot determine if the source of the influenza A virus is from humans, animals or animal products.
The National Wastewater Surveillance System confirms on its website that public health officials use wastewater data to better understand disease trends in communities and to make decisions on how to better prevent infections with increased testing or vaccination.
To help prevent the illness, the Wyoming Department of Health (WDH) told Buckrail that the most effective tool is getting vaccinated.
“We also ask that people who are ill avoid being around others as much as possible by staying home from work and school,” WDH Public Information Officer Kim Deti said. “Good and frequent handwashing is an important strategy as well. We also suggest actions such as covering coughs and avoiding touching your face.”
The WDH recommended seeking healthcare when ill, and to consider medications to lessen the duration and severity of both influenza and COVID-19. Testing can help determine the best options.
