Indiana saw moderate levels of influenza last week, while COVID-19 and mpox cases decreased.
Influenza
The Indiana Department of Health’s last Influenza update, covering the week ending Jan. 7, reflected moderate levels of influenza-like illness statewide.
There were 18 influenza-associated deaths in Indiana during the week of Jan. 1-7. There have been 132 influenza-associated deaths in Indiana during the 2022-23 flu season; 94 of those deaths were people aged 65 and older. The duration of the 2022-2023 flu season is determined by corresponding Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report reporting weeks. Influenza reporting for the 2022-23 flu season started in Oct. 8, 2022.
Based on specimens tested by the IDOH Laboratory, the most common influenza strains circulating this season are H1N1 and H3N2.
Find locations offering the flu vaccine here.
COVID-19
Monroe County reported eight COVID-19 cases and zero deaths for the week of Jan. 4-11. The county recorded 83 COVID-19 cases since the beginning of January 2023, according to the IDOH.
Indiana reported 807 COVID-19 cases for the week ending Jan. 11, down 256 cases from the previous week. There were nine COVID-19-related deaths in Indiana from Jan. 4 to Jan. 11, two less than the previous week.
The IDOH reported 98 COVID-19 related hospital admissions, down 27 from the previous week.
Currently, students can receive free PCR COVID-19 tests through drop-off testing on IU-Bloomington and IUPUI campuses.
The Pfizer bivalent booster for ages six months to four years and the Moderna bivalent booster for ages six months to five years were approved by the U.S Food and Drug Administration and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in December. The CDC now recommends eligible individuals six months and older receive an updated Pfizer or Moderna vaccine.
In September, the CDC endorsed the use of updated COVID-19 Pfizer boosters for individuals ages 12 years and older, and Moderna boosters for individuals ages 18 years and older. According to the CDC, updated COVID-19 boosters better protect against Omicron BA.4 and BA.5 variants.
Individuals can schedule vaccination appointments on the IDOH website.
Mpox
The IDOH has reported zero new mpox cases in Indiana since Jan. 4. There have been 285 total mpox cases in Indiana recorded since June 2022.
According to the IDOH mpox dashboard, Monroe County has reported less than five mpox cases since counting began.
Nationwide, the CDC reported 29,980 total mpox cases in the U.S. since counting started in June 2022. There have been 21 total mpox-related deaths in the U.S.
Following a drop in cases after August 2022, the U.S Department of Health and Human Services announced it would not renew mpox as a public health emergency after Jan. 31.
In November, the World Health Organization announced it would be using the new preferred term “mpox” as a synonym for monkeypox. WHO stated both terms will be used simultaneously for a year in order to phase out the term “monkeypox.”
According to IDOH, the JYNNEOS mpox vaccine is recommended for people who have been exposed to mpox and individuals who may be more likely to get mpox. Individuals can search for a location to receive the mpox vaccine here.
IU Health Positive Link is currently offering mpox vaccines for all high-risk adults. Individuals can call the Positive Link vaccine hotline to schedule an appointment.
