As the new school year ramps up, public health agencies are tracking a dual wave of common respiratory viruses and seasonal foodborne illness outbreaks across the United States. According to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and Biobot, respiratory virus testing shows a typical seasonal increase in the common cold, while COVID-19 wastewater levels are low nationally but sharply climbing in the West and South.
Respiratory Virus Trends and COVID-19 Waves
Weekly percent positive tests for respiratory viruses published by the CDC indicate that common cold cases are rising as students return to classrooms. According to Your Local Epidemiologist, these runny nose cases typically peak by mid-September before declining to make way for influenza and RSV. Simultaneously, COVID-19 metrics show growth across all states, with emergency department visits increasing notably among children under 5 years old, according to federal surveillance data. However, the highest COVID-19 hospitalization rates continue to affect adults over 65 years old, prompting public health recommendations for high-risk individuals to seek updated vaccines once autumn formulations become available.
Did you know? While emergency department visits for COVID-19 are currently highest among children under 5, the highest actual hospitalization rates remain concentrated in adults over 65, according to CDC tracking data.
Foodborne Outbreaks and Summer Safety Risks
Food safety concerns have intensified alongside summer weather, driven by major product recalls and bacterial contamination events. According to the US Food and Drug Administration and the US Department of Agriculture’s Food Safety and Inspection Service, recent incidents include a California-based egg distributor recalling 1.7 million dozen eggs due to a salmonella outbreak that sickened 79 people across seven states, alongside separate cucumber salmonella infections and E. coli alerts for raw ground beef. Dr. Leana Wen, an emergency physician, adjunct clinical associate professor at George Washington University, and former health commissioner of Baltimore, notes that foodborne infections stem from pathogens like norovirus, campylobacter, listeria, salmonella, and E. coli.
Comparing annual recall volumes, Your Local Epidemiologist notes that the United States has recorded 483 food recalls this year, landing squarely within the typical 10-year historical range of 400 to 800 annual recalls. However, sheer recall counts can obscure the true scope of illness. Notably, a Cyclospora event contributed to 37.18 million pounds of food recalled during the first half of the year, marking a 2,432% increase over the previous year, according to tracking data cited by Your Local Epidemiologist.
Clinical Guidance on Salmonella and E. coli Infections
Understanding the distinct health risks of major foodborne bacteria is critical for proper medical response. According to Dr. Leana Wen, most people who fall ill from salmonella recover quickly through hydration, though 21 people were hospitalized in the recent egg-linked outbreak. Conversely, the O157:H7 strain of E. coli produces a toxin that damages the intestinal wall, causing bloody diarrhea and potentially leading to hemolytic uremic syndrome (HUS), a severe complication that can cause kidney failure or prove fatal. Dr. Wen emphasizes that while dehydration management is vital for both infections, antibiotics are specifically not recommended for O157:H7 E. coli infections because they can increase the risk of severe complications.
Pro Tip: Always wash and scrub fresh produce thoroughly, and if you belong to a high-risk group—such as being pregnant, older, or immunocompromised—contact your clinical care team immediately rather than attempting to wait out foodborne symptoms at home.
Frequently Asked Questions
What are the primary symptoms of foodborne infections?
According to Dr. Leana Wen, common symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and abdominal cramping, sometimes accompanied by fevers, bloody diarrhea, and dehydration.
Why do foodborne illnesses increase during the summer months?
Warmer weather creates optimal conditions for bacterial growth, and increased outdoor dining, barbecues, and travel frequently alter standard food handling and refrigeration habits.
When will the updated COVID-19 vaccines be available?
Public health communications indicate that updated fall COVID-19 vaccine formulas are expected to become widely available in pharmacies and clinical offices in September.
Should antibiotics be used to treat all foodborne bacterial illnesses?
No. According to Dr. Leana Wen, antibiotics are not recommended for E. coli O157:H7 infections because doing so can elevate the risk of developing hemolytic uremic syndrome.
Broader Health Data and mRNA Therapeutics
Beyond seasonal viruses and food safety, preliminary CDC data shows that the U.S. age-adjusted death rate fell by 4.6% in 2025 compared to 2024, with declines observed across nearly all sociodemographic groups except among American Indians and Alaska Natives. Additionally, medical researchers are advancing customized mRNA treatments for melanoma. By sequencing a patient’s tumor DNA to map its exact mutation fingerprint, scientists develop targeted mRNA vaccines combined with checkpoint inhibitors to train the immune system against tumor targets while reducing recurrence and metastasis risks in clinical trials.
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