Arizona health officials report that influenza activity remains high and continues to rise above the seasonal average, according to the latest Arizona Department of Health Services (ADHS) respiratory virus summary for the week ending December 21, 2024.
The state recorded 3,986 laboratory-confirmed influenza cases last week, marking a 33% increase from the previous week. While this number is 38% lower than the same period last year, it still represents a 59% increase compared to a typical influenza season.
The percentage of doctor visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) has reached 6.2%, well above the state’s epidemic threshold of 2.6%. The epidemic threshold is defined as the mean of the state’s ILI percentage plus two standard deviations, based on data from the 2021-2024 influenza seasons.
Meanwhile, RSV and COVID-19 cases show different patterns. RSV reported 357 laboratory-confirmed cases, remaining below the typical seasonal average despite a 57% increase from the previous week. COVID-19 cases held steady at 2,096 cases, representing a modest 5% increase from the previous week and remaining significantly below both last year’s numbers and the seasonal average.
The ADHS reminds residents that the reported cases represent only a fraction of the true number of respiratory illnesses, as many people don’t seek medical care when sick, and not all patients are tested.
For those experiencing complications from these illnesses, the ADHS advises seeking immediate emergency care or calling 911 if they experience:
- High fever (more than 101° F) lasting more than 3-4 days
- Difficulty breathing
- Extreme dizziness
- Unable to take fluids for 24 hours (adults)
- Infants not taking fluids and showing signs of dehydration (not wetting diapers)
According to the ADHS flu guidance, most people recover from respiratory illnesses with rest and fluids. Those who are sick should stay home, wash their hands frequently with soap and water and cover coughs and sneezes using their elbow or a tissue in order to prevent spreading the illness to others.
