The Brief
- Flu cases are climbing across the San Francisco Bay Area, and health officials say new wastewater data shows influenza activity is already elevated — particularly influenza A — weeks before many people seek testing or medical care.
- Hotspots include San Jose, Palo Alto, Fremont, San Francisco and parts of the North Bay, stretching from San Rafael to Vallejo.
- Flu season typically runs from October through April, with cases often peaking around mid-February.
OAKLAND, Calif. – Flu cases are climbing across the San Francisco Bay Area, and health officials say new wastewater data shows influenza activity is already elevated — particularly influenza A — weeks before many people seek testing or medical care.
Public health researchers at Stanford University track the spread of infectious diseases through a tool called WastewaterSCAN, which analyzes samples from water treatment plants across the region. Medical experts say the data provides an early warning signal, detecting viruses even before people show up at clinics or hospitals.
According to the latest results, influenza A — a common strain of seasonal flu — is showing up at high levels in Bay Area wastewater. Hotspots include San Jose, Palo Alto, Fremont, San Francisco and parts of the North Bay, stretching from San Rafael to Vallejo.…