Respiratory Illnesses Surge in St. Mary's County

Respiratory Illnesses See Dramatic Spike

Data collected from emergency departments (EDs) across Maryland shows a substantial increase in respiratory-related visits from St. Mary’s County residents in December. Emergency room visits for influenza-like illness (ILI) jumped to 143.9 per 100,000 people, compared to just 14.8 in November - a nearly tenfold increase.

Other respiratory-related ED visits also saw significant increases:

• Pneumonia: 82 visits per 100,000 in December (up from 53.2 in November)
• RSV (Respiratory Syncytial Virus): 42.7 per 100,000 (up from 12.2 in November)
• Hand, Foot, and Mouth Disease (HFMD): decreased slightly to 2.6 per 100,000 from 5.2

“These rates are some of the highest we've seen this season,” said a representative from SMCHD. “We encourage everyone to take steps now to reduce their risk and protect those who are most vulnerable - especially young children, older adults, and those with weakened immune systems.”

Confirmed Infectious Disease Case Rates Also Climb

In addition to ED visits, confirmed case rates for infectious diseases reported through the National Electronic Disease Surveillance System (NEDSS) showed a sharp rise in several conditions:

• COVID-19 (2019-nCoV): 71.5 per 100,000 in December, up from 18.3 in November
• Chlamydia trachomatis infection: 17.4 per 100,000 (slightly up from 16.6)
• Latent Tuberculosis Infection: 3.5 per 100,000
• Chronic Hepatitis C: 2.6 per 100,000
• Gonorrhea: 1.7 per 100,000
• Salmonella (non-typhoidal): 1.7 per 100,000
• Invasive Group B Strep: 1.7 per 100,000

Seasonal Trends Reflect Broader Public Health Concerns

Free Adult Vaccination Program Now Available

In response to rising illness rates, SMCHD is now offering free vaccinations to uninsured and underinsured adults (ages 19+) through Maryland’s expanded adult vaccine initiative. Vaccines available at no cost include:

• COVID-19
• Influenza (Flu)
• Tdap (Tetanus, Diphtheria, Whooping Cough)
• RSV (for adults 60+ or at-risk)
• Pneumococcal (Pneumonia)
• HPV (Human Papillomavirus)
• Hepatitis B
• MMR (Measles, Mumps, Rubella)
• IPOL (Polio)
• Shingrix (Shingles)

Appointments can be made by calling 301-475-4419.

Wastewater Monitoring Provides Early Detection

St. Mary’s County is participating in the WastewaterSCAN program - a public health surveillance initiative led by Stanford and Emory Universities. The Marlay Taylor Water Reclamation Facility in Hollywood monitors wastewater for early signs of virus activity. Residents and clinicians can use the public dashboard to view trends in local virus levels.

Maryland Maintains Standard Childhood Vaccine Schedule

The Maryland Department of Health reaffirmed its commitment to the American Academy of Pediatrics’ vaccine schedule for children. This evidence-based guidance is designed to protect children and communities from preventable diseases.

What This Means for St. Mary’s County Residents

St. Mary’s County Fire and EMS crews remain on alert as health-related calls typically rise during winter illness season. Community members are encouraged to:

• Get vaccinated against flu, COVID-19, and RSV
• Stay home when sick to prevent spreading illness
• Practice hand hygiene and respiratory etiquette
• Use masks in crowded or high-risk indoor settings
• Monitor symptoms and seek care if illness worsens

Prevention Tip

If you're feeling sick, avoid using space heaters or cooking while drowsy or unsupervised. Fatigue can increase the risk of fire-related accidents at home.

Stay Informed

Follow the St. Mary’s County Health Department on Facebook, Instagram, or visit smchd.org for updates.

Support Your Local Fire & EMS Department

Consider volunteering or donating to your local fire & EMS department. Your support helps ensure rapid emergency response and community safety during high-demand periods.