As of January 3, 2025, the CDC reports that respiratory illnesses causing people to seek healthcare are at high levels and continue to rise nationally. St. Louis residents seem to be taking note, with 3 in 8 (38%) reporting they heard “Cases of respiratory diseases such as flu, COVID-19, and RSV are increasing” in the past week. Additionally, 26% reported hearing that “Pneumonia rates in kids are increasing.”
Respiratory illness activity in St. Louis and the U.S.
While state reporting to the CDC is voluntary and Missouri’s data may not be fully updated, in the last full week of December, the Missouri Department of Health reported 608 new cases of influenza from the previous week. Nationally, COVID-19 wastewater viral activity remains “high,” with flu and RSV activity at “moderate” levels. Emergency department visits for COVID-19, flu, and RSV are also trending upward. Also, as of December 7, 2024, Missouri had 477 invasive pneumococcal disease cases across all ages in 2024, slightly higher than the 463 cases reported at the same time in 2023.
In St. Louis and Omaha, awareness of respiratory illnesses is higher among residents over 50 years old (63%) compared to those under 50 (32%). Additionally, awareness is higher among Hispanic (47%) and non-Hispanic Whites (45%) than non-Hispanic Blacks (38%).
Words from St. Louis residents
Financial concerns may be significant in why respiratory illness is spreading. One St. Louis survey respondent shared, “More people are going to work sick because they cannot afford to lose their pay or job. This is causing an increased risk of COVID and flu transmission.”
Preventing and responding to respiratory illnesses
Practicing good hygiene—such as frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, and wearing masks in crowded indoor spaces—can help reduce the spread of these viruses. The CDC recommends staying current on vaccinations to help reduce the severity of respiratory illnesses like RSV, flu, and COVID-19. They recommend pneumococcal vaccines for all children under 5, individuals aged 5–49 with specific risk conditions, and adults aged 50 and older to protect against severe diseases caused by pneumococcal bacteria, including pneumonia, meningitis, and bacterial blood infections.
Help keep St. Louis safe
Community organizations in St. Louis can share resources to help residents prevent severe illnesses and hospitalizations from respiratory infections.
About this week’s report
This week’s report is based on a survey of 260 adult residents in St. Louis, MO (n = 176) and Omaha, NE (n = 84), conducted from January 4-6, 2025. Explore these data and more at iHeardSTL.
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Flu and COVID-19 vaccines are advised for everyone aged six months and older, while pneumococcal vaccines are recommended for all children under 5, individuals aged 5–49 with specific risk conditions, and adults aged 50 and older.
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Want to help prevent respiratory illnesses from spreading? Check out these tips!
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