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County epidemiologist reports upticks in influenza, RSV and perinatal hepatitis B; CDC methods, state reporting changes noted
Summary
Senior epidemiologist Victor told the Board of Health that Delaware County experienced increases in influenza A and RSV in early 2025, and a slight rise in babies born to hepatitis B‑positive mothers; staff said a state reporting change has increased case detection.
Victor (senior epidemiologist, Delaware County Health Department) presented surveillance data showing higher influenza A activity in early 2025 compared with the same period in 2024, an uptick in RSV and a small increase in babies born to mothers who tested positive for hepatitis B.
Victor said influenza counts "are increasing," and that county rates per 100,000 were statistically higher than the statewide rates between 2019 and 2023. He described RSV as increasing versus the same weeks in 2024 but "not as bad as flu A." The board discussed long‑term care facilities as recurring sites of respiratory outbreaks; Victor and staff said Delaware County has a relatively large number of long‑term care and skilled nursing facilities and receives regular outbreak reports from those sites.
On perinatal hepatitis B, Victor said the county’s local records show a slight increase in babies born to hepatitis B‑positive mothers: "If you look at the averages, it went from ... about 2.4 in 2023 to an average of about 3.48 from January to October of 2024," he said. Laura (director, Delaware County Health Department) and Victor noted one reason for the rise is a state change in reporting guidelines that made surveillance more sensitive; Laura said, "the state did change the reporting guidelines for these cases, and it's more sensitive now. So we are seeing an increase in things that we need to investigate."
Board members asked about clinical follow‑up and treatment for infants and uninsured adults. Victor said newborns born to hepatitis B‑positive mothers receive prophylaxis — immune globulin and vaccination — and follow‑up testing to prevent chronic infection; he said he would verify whether any of the infants in the county tested positive at birth. Laura said the department refers uninsured residents needing hepatitis B care to local partners (transcript reference: "TestPen" as the referral named in the meeting).
The board also discussed COVID‑19, norovirus and Candida auris reports. Victor said COVID‑19, influenza and RSV have all increased in recent weeks but that COVID appears to be plateauing; he also noted norovirus activity across the state and rising reports of Candida auris in long‑term care facilities.
Ending — surveillance and public guidance: staff said they are continuing outreach to hospitals, long‑term care facilities and school nurses, and that public messaging will be coordinated with the Pennsylvania Department of Health and CDC guidance. The department encouraged vaccination and continued reporting of outbreaks.
