Trio of Respiratory Illness Striking Hoosiers

By: Corbin Lingenfelter, News Director

Dubois County- For the past two years, COVID-19 has been the leading respiratory illness affecting Hoosiers.

In 2022, health experts have seen a rise in not only COVID, but also Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the Flu. 

“Respiratory illnesses, across the board, are on the rise,” said Dubois County Health Department’s Sean Werner. 

Werner says hospitals and doctors offices have seen an increase in the number of patients coming into their buildings suffering from some type of respiratory illness. Compared to years past, numbers appear higher. 

The cause for the early spike in Flu deaths is hard to determine, shared Werner. “Without knowing each individual case, looking at complications and contributions, it's hard to determine why deaths are up,” said Werner. 

With the Holidays coming within the next week, Werner recommends following the same protocols that have been in place the last two years with COVID. 

The Dubois County Health Department has vaccinations against the Flu, RSV, and COVID-19 available during their normal operating hours of 8:00 AM to 4:00 PM EST, Monday through Friday.