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January 15, 2025
Increase in Emergency Department Visits from Respiratory Illnesses
Lake County, Illinois has seen an increase in respiratory illnesses in the past two months, with influenza illness comprising a greater percentage of emergency department (ED) visits compared to COVID-19 and RSV (see Figure 1). Lake County hospital ED visits have a higher proportion of flu visits compared to other hospitals in its health service area (HSA), which includes Cook, Lake, DuPage, and McHenry counties (see Figure 2). Overall acute respiratory illness activity level remains high across Lake County.
Emergency Department Visits in Lake County, IL and Health Service Area*, 2024-2025 Respiratory Season
Figure 1
Figure 2
 Data source: Electronic Surveillance System for Early Notification of Community-Based Epidemics (ESSENCE)
Since September 29, 2024, Lake County intensive care units reported 31 influenza-related admissions, 19 COVID-19 admissions, and 17 RSV-related admissions. No pediatric deaths have been reported. During the same period, 22 outbreaks of COVID-19, 3 outbreaks of flu, and 1 outbreak of RSV were reported in long-term care facilities.
Calls to Action
Enhanced History-Taking
For patients with febrile respiratory symptoms, document:
- Exposure to others with diagnosed infections.
- Recent exposures to poultry, wild birds, or dairy products (relevant for zoonotic pathogens such as H5N1 or Q fever).
- Occupational exposures, such as farming, animal handling, or healthcare roles.
Diagnostic Protocols
- Conduct respiratory pathogen testing, including for influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and other respiratory viruses.
- Collect appropriate specimens (e.g., nasopharyngeal swabs or lower respiratory samples) for accurate diagnosis.
- Prioritize additional pathogen-specific testing when zoonotic or high-risk exposures are suspected. If suspected, contact the Lake County Health Department’s Communicable Disease program at (847) 377-8130, selecting option #1.
Treatment and Support
- Initiate prompt antiviral therapy (e.g., Oseltamivir for influenza, Paxlovid for COVID-19) or antimicrobial treatment for suspected secondary bacterial infections.
- For severe or unusual cases, engage infectious disease specialists for targeted interventions.
Vaccination Campaigns
Advocate for influenza, COVID-19, RSV, and pneumococcal vaccinations to reduce respiratory illness burden.
Facility Preparedness
Enhanced infection control precautions are strongly recommended in healthcare settings when an increase in acute respiratory illness (ARI) is noted in Lake County. These additional precautions include but are not limited to:
- Ensuring appropriate ventilation in patient care areas.
- Implementing universal masking for staff, patients, and visitors during periods of heightened respiratory illness transmission in healthcare settings.
- Restricting visitors to individuals aged 18 and older, with a maximum of two visitors per patient, and enforcing entry symptom screening.
- Providing personal protective equipment (PPE) for staff managing suspected or confirmed ARI cases, including fit-tested N95 respirators, eye protection, gowns, and gloves.
- Educating staff on infection prevention and control measures, including awareness of zoonotic disease risks.
Consult the Lake County Health Department’s Communicable Disease Program at (847) 377-8130 with any questions or concerns.
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