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Vernon County health staff report broad surge in respiratory illnesses; outreach to Amish communities under way
Summary
Health department and hospital infection-prevention staff told the Vernon County Health Department board they are seeing a sustained surge in influenza A, rising RSV and ongoing COVID cases; staff have begun targeted outreach to Amish bishops and continue wastewater and clinic surveillance.
Rommel Heisel, infection prevention at BMH, told the Vernon County Health Department board that the county is seeing a prolonged and intense wave of respiratory illnesses this winter. “We have been knee deep into influenza a since about the end of the second beginning of the third week of January, and it continues,” Heisel said.
The health department said influenza A has been the dominant virus this season, with subtypes shifting from H3 earlier in January to H1 in later weeks. Staff reported that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity has increased alongside influenza and that COVID-19 “continues to be our nemesis,” according to health department remarks at the meeting.
Why this matters: Board members were told the combination of influenza, RSV and COVID is straining local health resources and leading to hospital admissions, especially among older residents and people in congregate settings. The department is urging vaccination and use of available RSV protections for high‑risk patients and is emphasizing testing to guide treatment and isolation.
Public‑health actions described at the meeting included direct outreach to Amish bishops in multiple townships to share information about a mumps notification and respiratory outbreaks, continuation of wastewater surveillance for SARS‑CoV‑2 and local clinic testing, and encouragement of vaccinating eligible people. Health staff also noted federal-level changes and pending litigation affecting CDC programs are being monitored, though county funding and routine operations have not changed.
The department did not present a policy change or formal directive at the meeting; board members were given situational updates and described upcoming outreach and communication plans. Health staff said they will keep the board informed of any shifts in hospitalization rates or if new actions are required.
Corollary details noted at the meeting: the statewide epidemiologist reported a spike in hospitalizations in early February, which local staff said matched what they are seeing; the vaccines‑for‑children (VFC) program and state immunization registry were mentioned as part of longer‑term vaccination recovery work. The board did not vote on emergency measures during the discussion.
Ending: Board members were advised to expect more detailed surveillance reports and outreach updates at subsequent meetings as the season progresses.
