In a move to empower Americans with clear, actionable health information, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has launched a new website designed to track the spread of respiratory viruses like COVID-19, influenza, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) across the United States. Introduced in October 2024, this platform centers around a novel metric called “acute respiratory illness” (ARI), offering a comprehensive way to monitor the risk of these viruses in local communities. With respiratory illness activity on the rise as of May 2025, this tool is proving to be a vital resource for individuals and public health officials alike. Here’s a closer look at how this innovative system works, why it matters, and what it reveals about the current state of respiratory viruses in the U.S.
The CDC’s new ARI metric is a significant step forward in public health surveillance. Unlike the previous “influenza-like illness” (ILI) metric, which relied heavily on symptoms like fever and could miss cases without those specific signs, ARI captures a broader range of respiratory conditions. This includes everything from the common cold to more severe infections like influenza, RSV, and COVID-19. By analyzing emergency department (ED) visits for respiratory illnesses, the CDC assigns activity levels—ranging from “minimal” to “very high”—to states and counties based on historical trends and current data. This approach provides a more complete picture of respiratory virus activity, even for cases where patients may not exhibit classic symptoms.
According to Captain Matthew Ritchey, who co-leads the CDC’s data coordination team, the ARI metric was developed to simplify complex health data for the public. “We’re not just putting a bunch of information out there and expecting people to figure it out,” Ritchey told CBS News. Instead, the CDC collaborates weekly with experts across its teams, reviewing hospital data, wastewater sampling, and laboratory test results to highlight key trends. This ensures the website offers clear, actionable insights for everyday Americans deciding when to take precautions like masking or testing.
The launch of this website comes at a critical time. As of May 23, 2025, the CDC reports that overall acute respiratory illness activity is at a very low level nationally, with seasonal influenza, COVID-19, and RSV activity also remaining low. However, earlier this year, respiratory illness activity reached “high” or “very high” levels in several states, driven primarily by influenza. For instance, in late December 2024, states like New Hampshire, Arizona, and Texas reported elevated activity, with flu leading the way in test positivity rates, climbing to 18.7% compared to 7.0% for COVID-19 and 12.7% for RSV. These fluctuations underscore the importance of real-time data to guide personal and community health decisions.
The website’s “community snapshot” feature is designed to make this data accessible. By visiting the CDC’s Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel, users can view local and national trends for COVID-19, flu, and RSV. The platform also integrates wastewater monitoring, which detects traces of viruses in communities even before symptoms lead people to seek medical care. This early-warning system can signal rising infection risks, helping individuals take proactive steps like getting vaccinated or avoiding crowded indoor spaces.
As of May 20, 2025, the CDC’s data indicates that COVID-19 infections are growing or likely growing in four states, declining in 18, and stable in 21. Influenza infections, meanwhile, are growing in two states, declining in 26, and stable in 11. These trends are measured using the Rt metric, which estimates the average number of new infections caused by each infected person. An Rt above 1 suggests growing transmission, while below 1 indicates a decline. While these numbers suggest a relatively calm period, the CDC cautions that respiratory virus activity often peaks in winter, and localized surges can occur unexpectedly.
The website also highlights disparities in how respiratory illnesses affect different groups. Older adults, young children, and individuals with chronic conditions or compromised immune systems face higher risks of severe outcomes from COVID-19, flu, and RSV. For example, the Illinois Department of Public Health reported in February 2025 that nearly 20% of ED visits were for ARI, with 7.8% attributed to flu, 1.6% to COVID-19, and 0.7% to RSV. Tragically, five pediatric deaths from flu and three from RSV were recorded in Illinois this season, emphasizing the need for vigilance, especially for vulnerable populations.
Despite the availability of vaccines for COVID-19, flu, and RSV, vaccination rates remain concerningly low. As of January 4, 2025, only 43.4% of adults had received the flu vaccine, and just 22.8% had the updated 2024-25 COVID-19 vaccine. For RSV, 44.5% of adults aged 75 and older have been vaccinated. Among children, flu vaccination coverage is at 42.9%, but only 11% have received the updated COVID-19 vaccine. Dr. John Brownstein, an epidemiologist at Boston Children’s Hospital, emphasized that it’s not too late to get vaccinated, noting that vaccines are “a vital tool in reducing the risk of severe illness, even during peak activity.”
The CDC recommends flu and COVID-19 vaccines for everyone six months and older, with RSV vaccines advised for adults 75 and older, those aged 60-74 at higher risk, and pregnant individuals to protect newborns. Antiviral treatments, such as those for flu and COVID-19, are also critical, particularly when started within 48 hours of symptom onset for flu or 5-7 days for COVID-19. These treatments can significantly reduce the severity of illness, especially for high-risk groups.
The CDC’s new website is more than just a data dashboard—it’s a call to action. By providing clear, localized information, it empowers individuals to make informed choices about their health. The agency’s 2024-2025 Respiratory Disease Season Outlook, released in August 2024, projected that combined peak hospitalizations for COVID-19, flu, and RSV would likely be similar to or lower than last season’s. However, with hospitalization rates still higher than pre-pandemic levels, staying informed remains crucial.
The website also serves as a reminder of the broader context of respiratory illnesses. Beyond the “big three” (COVID-19, flu, and RSV), the CDC is exploring ways to track other pathogens like mycoplasma pneumoniae and human metapneumovirus, which can also contribute to ARI. In regions like China, for instance, recent data from December 2024 showed influenza as the leading cause of respiratory illness, with mycoplasma pneumoniae prominent among children aged 5-14.
Navigating the CDC’s website is straightforward. Users can access the Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel to view weekly updates, check local activity levels, and explore detailed data on hospitalizations, test positivity, and wastewater trends. For those planning travel, the site offers county-specific information, making it a valuable resource for assessing risks across state lines. The CDC updates the platform every Friday, ensuring the data remains current.
For more information on staying protected, visit the CDC’s resources on vaccination and prevention. Public health officials urge everyone to stay proactive—whether through vaccination, early testing, or simple precautions like handwashing and avoiding contact with others when sick. As Dr. Sameer Vohra, Director of the Illinois Department of Public Health, noted, “If you do develop flu-like symptoms, contact your health care provider and seek treatment right away.”
The CDC’s new website, with its innovative ARI metric, marks a significant advancement in how we monitor and respond to respiratory viruses. By offering clear, localized data, it helps Americans make informed decisions to protect themselves and their communities. As we navigate the 2024-2025 respiratory season, this tool underscores the importance of staying vigilant, getting vaccinated, and acting early to curb the spread of COVID-19, flu, and RSV. With respiratory illness activity fluctuating across the country, the CDC’s platform is a timely resource for safeguarding public health.
Sources: CDC Respiratory Illnesses Data Channel, CBS News, ABC News
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