WARREN — The Trumbull County Combined Health District and the Warren City Health District are alerting residents of potential higher transmission levels of influenza A and B in the community.

A recent report from the Ohio Department of Health Bureau of Environmental Health and Radiation Protection states there are increasing viral concentrations in wastewater at the Warren Water Pollution Control Facility, which is often indicative of eventual higher transmission, higher case counts and hospitalizations. This data serves as an early warning sign of heightened influenza activity in the community, emphasizing the need for preventative measures to protect public health.

The Trumbull County Combined Health District and the Warren City Health District use data provided through the Ohio Disease Reporting System to monitor local hospitalized influenza cases weekly.

“The increase in influenza viral loads is a clear signal that flu activity is on the rise in Warren and its surrounding communities,” said John May, Deputy Health Commissioner of the Warren City Health District. “We urge residents to take preventative steps, such as getting vaccinated, practicing good hygiene with frequent handwashing, and staying home when sick, to help reduce the spread of illness.”

Influenza viruses can spread through droplets from infected individuals coughing, sneezing, or talking throughout the common influenza season of early October to late March. The most effective way to prevent contracting influenza, being hospitalized due to influenza, or dying from influenza, is to receive a flu vaccine.

The Trumbull Combined Health District and the Warren City Health District offer the current influenza vaccine.