Utah Sees RSV, Flu Surge as Spring Delays Respiratory Peak

Health departments in Utah are reporting elevated cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza as spring weather fluctuations prolong the season, echoing national trends from the CDC. RSV activity, typically peaking in winter, started later than expected this year and may persist through April in many regions, with emergency visits highest among children under 4. Utah's consistent RSV patterns, analyzed from 2004-2018 Intermountain Healthcare data, show peaks often overlapping flu in February-March, though this season's delay aligns with broader U.S. shifts.[1][3] The Utah Department of Health and Human Services updates respiratory data weekly from October to April, highlighting interactive trends for flu, RSV and COVID-19 across counties.[6] Northern Utah families are grappling with a rise in various sicknesses, including flu, RSV and lingering COVID-19, exacerbated by cold snaps and poor air quality from winter inversions. Fox13 reports cold weather ushering in another cold and flu wave, with symptoms sometimes confused for pollution effects in areas like the Wasatch Front.[2][4] While seasonal influenza activity decreases nationally, Utah's local uptick prompts health leaders to push vaccinations; flu shots are ideally administered in September-October for peak protection through March, per University of Utah Health's Kencee Graves, MD.[5] Officials urge precautions amid the surge: get flu and COVID-19 vaccines, practice hand hygiene and mask around vulnerable groups. CDC notes combined COVID-flu-RSV hospitalizations peaked the week ending January 3, 2026, near last season's levels, with low overall acute illness as of March 27.[3] In Utah, counties including Salt Lake and Davis see the strain, as health dashboards track weekly positivity rates to guide public response.[6]