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With some health care workers now requiring masks, Lawrence thinks the flu will peak soon.
As Kansas communities face peak flu season, six viral diseases, including COVID-19, influenza and norovirus, have been found in high concentrations in wastewater in Lawrence.
Coronavirus disease (COVID-19), influenza A and B, RSV, human metapneumovirus, and norovirus were all detected at high levels in Lawrence. waste water Within the past 3 weeks.
The sewage data shows trends in the spread of the disease in the region, but does not correlate with the exact number of cases, and doctors say it is normal to see high levels of the respiratory illness during flu season.
“Wastewater data does not measure individual cases, but it does provide a reliable picture of how much virus is circulating in the community,” said Veronica White, preparedness and epidemiology coordinator for the Lawrence-Douglas County Public Health Department. “This data records the viral genetic material excreted by everyone who uses the wastewater system. One factor that may be contributing to the high concentrations of respiratory viruses found in Lawrence’s wastewater is its large population.”
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Lawrence is seeing an earlier peak for influenza B than other parts of the country. The flu test positivity rate jumped in the final week of 2025, with 32% of all flu tests coming back positive, according to data from the University of Kansas Health System.
Some health care providers, including the University of Kansas Watkins Health Center, are requiring masks for all visitors, patients and staff due to a “record surge in respiratory illnesses,” according to a sign on the front door.
White said the early rise in flu cases does not indicate a more dangerous flu season, but rather that the virus is circulating faster than usual.
“Identifying this trend early through wastewater data allows people to take preventive measures such as getting vaccinated, monitoring symptoms and staying home when sick,” White said.
The wastewater data also shows that the new coronavirus strain known as XFG, or the Stratus variant, accounted for 82.5% of positive coronavirus samples, with concentrations increasing by 25% over the last month. White said the variant is also on the rise across the country.
Dana Hawkinson, medical director of the Infection Control and Prevention Program at the University of Kansas Health System, said there are still many people in the state who have not received a flu shot.
“We’re seeing a lot of cases and cardiovascular disease in our community, but (influenza) remains at high levels at this point,” Hawkinson said. “The number of people who are not vaccinated is very small. We know that we can prevent vaccination and prevent people from becoming seriously ill and potentially dying.”
“The University of Kansas Health System’s chief medical officer, Steve Steite, said: vaccine Incredibly safe and effective.
Hawkinson said flu symptoms include fever, cough, stuffy nose, body aches and sore throat, rather than abdominal pain symptoms, and definitions are often confused during flu season.
Wastewater data also shows that the same diseases occur in moderate concentrations in Salina, with the exception of Influenza A, which is believed to be at high concentrations.
“Based on the data, we expect virus activity to continue in both Lawrence and Salina in the coming weeks,” White said. “As the influenza season progresses, we expect increased influenza activity to be reflected in wastewater, especially as the season approaches its typical peak.”
Medical experts continue to advise people to wash their hands, cover their coughs and avoid going to large public places if they are sick to prevent the spread of the disease.
“You can still go get your flu vaccine,” Hawkinson said. “It is still recommended and you can do it now to protect yourself from infection.”
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