Respiratory Viral Activity In Southern California

We have started to see the beginning of respiratory viral season in Southern California (although the outside temperature may not feel like it!).
Several of our reporting institutions are reporting samples positive for RSV. There have also been a few influenza positive specimens. Parainfluenza 2 is the predominant viral respiratory pathogen that is circulating but we expect it will soon be taken over by RSV and influenza. Stay tuned.

RSV Activity

Respiratory Viral Season Has Arrived

US Influenza Map-Activity to Date

Respiratory Viral Season on Its Way

Excerpted from CDC's California Influenza Brief:

Influenza activity, including sentinel provider outpatient influenza-like illnesses and Kaiser Permanente P&I (pneumonia and influenza), remains low throughout California. Based on reports of infrequent positive influenza laboratory tests in both Northern and Southern California, influenza activity in California remained sporadic (defined by the CDC as “Isolated cases of lab confirmed influenza in the state, but ILI activity is not increased”). One case of severe pediatric influenza which tested positive by rapid test for influenza A was reported this week from the San Francisco Bay Area.

We have had reports of a few positive tests for RSV from the Southern California Kaiser System, but parainfluenza type 2 is dominating the positive samples. Stay tuned in the upcoming weeks for a more complete update of respiratory viruses.