Health experts warn of return of flu, other viruses

Jun 14, 2021

Jimmie Johnson Reporter

By Jimmie Johnson (Reporter), Ryan Tiedgen (Editor)

As more and more Americans unmask, health experts say viruses like the flu could return after going nearly dormant during the pandemic.

In a report from last September, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said flu activity dropped 98 percent over the first few months of the pandemic.

Cases of Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) also fell.

The low numbers are attributed to some of the protocols put in place because of Covid-19 like additional handwashing, mask wearing and self-quarantining.

Now with many mandates lifted, the risk is back.

Last week, the CDC issued a health advisory regarding an increase in RSV activity across parts of the southern United States.

Experts predict viruses like the flu and RSV could remain low in number if public schools kept the health measures they had in place this past school year into the fall.

Tags: Pandemic

Jimmie Johnson: RIGHT NOW — HEALTH EXPERTS ARE WARNING ABOUT OTHER VIRUSES RE-EMERGING AS MORE AMERICANS DITCH THEIR FACE MASKS.
THE C-D-C ISSUED A HEALTH ADVISORY ABOUT THE INCREASE OF RESPIRATORY SYNCYTIAL VIRUS — ALSO KNOWN AS R-S-V CASES IN THE SOUTH.
WHEN THE PANDEMIC BEGAN LAST YEAR, AND PEOPLE DORN MASKS AND SELF QUARANTINED, RESPIRATORY CASES RAPIDLY DECREASED.
SAME FOR THE FLU — WHICH THE C-D-C SAYS DECREASED BY 98 PERCENT.
SOME EXPERTS PREDICT VIRUSES LIKE R-S-V AND THE FLU COULD CONTINUE TO STAY LOW IN NUMBERS IF PUBLIC SCHOOLS KEPT THEIR HEALTH MEASURES IN PLACE THIS FALL.