With flu season coming to an finish, new knowledge exhibits that one other extremely contagious virus is showing all through Northern California.
The parvovirus B19, also known as the “slapped cheek” rash for its distinctive purple rash on the face, was detected in wastewater surveillance knowledge all through the San Francisco Bay Space and Sacramento area.
Youngsters and adults contaminated with parvovirus B19 will usually expertise no signs or delicate sickness with flu-like signs, rashes and joint ache, based on the Facilities for Illness Management and Prevention. The sickness normally goes away in seven to 10 days, however the CDC reviews it may possibly reemerge for a number of weeks.
An aerial view of the town of San Francisco skyline and the Golden Gate Bridge in California, U.S., October 28, 2021.
Notably, youngsters between the ages of 5 and 9 years usually develop into sick from this virus attributable to faculty outbreaks and shut contact with different youngsters. Adults who haven’t beforehand been contaminated with parvovirus stay vulnerable and, with a weakened immune system, are at increased danger of problems, based on the CDC.
The CDC additionally notes that if an individual contracts parvovirus B19 throughout being pregnant, the virus can unfold to the infant. Though it isn’t widespread, it may trigger a miscarriage or issues with the unborn child.
The CDC recommends that folk who’re pregnant, have a weakened immune system or have an ongoing blood problems ought to search care from their native well being care supplier.
The place was parvovirus B19 detected?
Current wastewater knowledge collected by Wastewater SCAN, a web-based service based mostly at Stanford College that displays municipal techniques for ailments, discovered that parvovirus detection has elevated all through the area.
The Tower Bridge, linking West Sacramento and Sacramento sits subsequent to Previous Sacramento State Historic Park, on Friday, April 3, 2026, in Sacramento, California.
Notably, the virus was detected in San Francisco, Sacramento, Davis, Napa, Palo Alto, Redwood Metropolis, San Jose, Sunnyvale, Vallejo and the South County Area wastewater techniques.
Wastewater SCAN famous that there was a average stage of optimistic samples amongst these cities: San Francisco, Sacramento, Davis, Napa, Redwood and San Jose.
Noe Padilla is a Northern California Reporter for USA Right this moment. Contact him at [email protected], comply with him on X @1NoePadilla or on Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social. Join the TODAY Californian publication or comply with us on Fb at TODAY Californian.
This text initially appeared on USA TODAY: Parvovirus detected in San Francisco, Sacramento