Respiratory Illness Surveillance
Influenza A: HIGH ↗
RSV: MEDIUM ↘
COVID-19: MEDIUM −
Influenza B: MEDIUM ↗
The lines on the graph show virus trends over the past two months. Influenza A (orange line), Influenza B (yellow line), RSV (gray line), and SARS-CoV-2 (blue line), the virus that causes COVID-19, have all been detected recently.
This week, we continue to see dozens of clinical cases of flu, RSV, and COVID-19 coming to YKHC. Across the state and nation, RSV, influenza A, and influenza B activity is very high.
Other common respiratory pathogens detected in the region over the past two weeks include human metapneumovirusand Streptococcus pneumoniae, both of which typically cause cold or flu-like symptoms.
If you develop respiratory symptoms, please limit contact with others, especially elders, infants, and people with weakened immune systems. If you must be around others, wear a mask. If you test positive for COVID-19 or flu, talk with a healthcare provider about the highly effective antiviral treatments that are now available.
If you are sick from a respiratory virus:
- Limit your interactions for at least 24 hours after your symptoms improve and you have not had a fever without taking fever-reducing medication.
- For the first five days after symptoms have resolved, consider wearing a well-fitting mask, distancing from others, and getting tested. You may still be contagious.
Talk with your providers about vaccinations to protect against flu A, flu B, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumococcal infections which are all circulating right now!
YKHC Office of Environmental Health's Testing of Bethel Wastewater
When people are ill from a viral infection, they release bits of virus into the wastewater when they use the toilet or wash their hands. The YKHC Office of Environmental Health consistently collects and evaluates Bethel wastewater to detect SARS-CoV-2, Influenza A and B, and RSV using sophisticated genomic testing techniques at our wastewater lab in Bethel.
Bits of virus in the wastewater include genetic material known as RNA or DNA. Our lab uses the same type of equipment as the hospital to detect genetic material specific for a particular virus. When we have a positive wastewater test, we know that the virus is in our community. Higher concentrations of the genetic material suggest there are more people with the virus in the community.
Wastewater testing does not tell us who is sick with the virus, but it does help us recognize when a virus enters the community and whether infections are going up or down.
Respiratory Illness Prevention and Surveillance
Get immunized to protect against flu, COVID and RSV this season.
Respiratory illnesses, such as flu, COVID and RSV, tend to increase in the fall and winter, as we spend more time inside. Getting your fall vaccinations get help protect you and your family against the most serious effects of flu, COVID and RSV.
Scroll down to learn more about the vaccines and how to prevent the spread of respiratory illnesses.
More About 2025/2026 Immunizations
INFLUENZA
The 2025/2026 flu vaccine covers three strains. Staying up to date with the flu vaccine provides 30%-60% protection against medically-attended influenza.
Who: Everyone 6 months and older
When:
- Available in Bethel and clinics now by appointment
- YKHC offers vaccine clinics in the hospital lobby on Thursdays and Fridays, 1–3 pm
RSV
Monoclonal Antibodies:
RSV has long been the leading cause of infant hospitalization in our region. YKHC offers Nirsevimab, a monoclonal antibody that provides single season protection against RSV infection and hospitalization. Nirsevimab is 90% effective at preventing hospitalization from RSV.
Who:
- All infants less than 8 months old
- Infants 8–19 months who are Alaska Native or at high risk for RSV
When: RSV season officially begins in Alaska on October 1.
Vaccine:
YKHC offers the RSV vaccine, Abrysvo.
Who:
- Pregnant persons at 32–36 weeks gestation. Protection is passed from the mother to the baby so the baby is protected in the first 6 months of life, which is the riskiest time for severe RSV.
- Adults 50 years and older who have not previously received an RSV vaccine at increased risk of severe RSV
- All adults 75 and older
- This is not an annual vaccine. If you’ve received it in the past, you do not need a second dose at this time, but as time goes on this guidance could change.
When:
- Available at all sites in Bethel and villages
- Can be given at same time as other seasonal vaccines and routine vaccines for pregnancy.
COVID-19
The COVID vaccine has been updated for the 2025-2026 season to protect against the strains most likely to be circulating.
Who
- Adults 65 and older
- Individuals 6 months–64 years with one or more high-risk condition
- American Academy of Pediatrics recommends COVID-19 vaccination for:
o All children 6–23 months
o Children 2–18 years at high risk
o Children “whose parent or guardian desires their protection from COVID-19”
- American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists recommend that pregnant women receive the vaccine at any point during pregnancy, when planning to become pregnant, in the postpartum period, or while lactating.
When: Available now in Bethel and villages
How to Get Your Vaccines
FLU and COVID vaccines are available in Bethel and villages now.
- Every Friday, from 1-3 p.m., flu and COVID vaccines will be offered at a walk-in clinic at the Gathering Place in the hospital in Bethel.
- Make an appointment to get fall vaccinations at your convenience by scheduling an appointment at your local clinic or by calling 907-543-6442 in Bethel.
RSV: To learn more about receiving antibodies or the vaccine, speak with your healthcare provider. This is strongly recommended for babies, pregnant people and those over age 50.
Questions? Speak with your provider or call 907-543-6949.
Prevention of Respiratory Diseases
There are several things each of us can do protect ourselves and others from respiratory diseases.
Immunizations: Stay up to date with recommended immunizations! See information on this page and speak with your provider.
Don’t ignore your cough! Be on the lookout for symptoms that could be associated with pertussis. If you have had a cough lasting more than two weeks or a severe cough that occurs in sudden, uncontrollable bursts, especially if followed by vomiting, please reach out to YKHC for evaluation and treatment.
If you are sick from a respiratory virus:
- Limit your interactions for at least 24 hours after your symptoms improve and you have not had a fever without taking fever-reducing medication.
- For the first five days after symptoms have resolved, you may still be contagious. Consider wearing a mask and distancing from others.
Testing: Lab tests are widely available and can be readily accessed for common viruses, including COVID-19, flu, and RSV. At-home tests for SARS-CoV-2 are widely available and may be picked up from the security desk at the hospital. In villages, schedule a test at your local clinic.
If you test positive for COVID-19, call 907-543-6949, 543-6420, or your local clinic for more information.
Hygiene: Certain viruses can be spread through surfaces. Washing your hands often and cleaning and disinfecting surfaces can be helpful to prevent sickness.
Treatment: COVID-19 treatment can be highly effective if taken within 5 days of symptoms starting. People who received Paxlovid had a 75% reduction in the odds of death and 60% lower odds of hospitalization. Call 907-543-6949 or your local clinic for more information about accessing treatment.
Learn More
Flu
Influenza (flu) is a contagious respiratory illness caused by influenza viruses that infect the nose, throat and lungs. The illness usually lasts 5-7 days, but symptoms can linger for 6 weeks.
Flu can cause:
- Dehydration: can cause imbalances of the salts in our blood
- Pneumonia: not bacterial requiring antibiotics, but fluid building in the lung tissue making it hard for the lungs to work well.
- Worsening of underlying illness like COPD, brochiectasis or other lung and heart conditions.
Flu is transmitted from person to person through droplets when we sneeze, cough, speak or sing and we can also pass it along by germs on our hands, so washing hands and masking if we’re sick are great ways to prevent from spreading the flu.
COVID-19
COVID-19 most often causes respiratory symptoms that can feel much like a cold, the flu, or pneumonia. But COVID-19 may attack more than your lungs and respiratory system. Other parts of your body may also be affected by the disease. Most people with COVID-19 have mild symptoms, but some people become severely ill. Some people, including those with minor or no symptoms, will develop post-COVID conditions, also called “Long COVID.”
Anyone infected with COVID-19 can spread it, even if they do not have symptoms.
Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV)
Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is a respiratory virus that causes cold-like symptoms.
Most people infected with RSV usually show symptoms within 4 to 6 days after getting infected. Symptoms of RSV infection usually include: runny nose, decrease in appetite, coughing, sneezing, fever and wheezing. These symptoms usually appear in stages and not all at once.
In very young infants with RSV, the only symptoms may be irritability, decreased activity or breathing difficulties.
Severe RSV infections include bronchiolitis (an inflammation of the small airways in the lung) and pneumonia. RSV can also make chronic health problems worse. For example, people with asthma may experience asthma attacks as a result of RSV infection, and people with congestive heart failure may experience more severe symptoms triggered by RSV.