A dangerous winter virus is still spreading nationwide – despite typically peaking in winter and fading by the end of March.<\/p>\n
According to federal data, 7.5 percent of RSV<\/a> tests are coming back positive<\/a>, a significantly higher figure than the five percent rate seen at this time last year.<\/p>\n As such, multiple states have made the unprecedented decision to extend their RSV immunization period through at least April 30 as the virus season<\/a>\u00a0persists later than usual.<\/p>\n A map from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, based on wastewater surveillance data, highlights the states and regions where the virus is circulating most widely \u2014 and half the country now has moderate levels, with the Midwest and northern Plains emerging as clear hot zones.\u00a0<\/p>\n States with\u00a0the highest concentrations of RSV in wastewater samples – deemed high or very high – in late March include Michigan<\/a>, Minnesota<\/a>, South Dakota<\/a>, Wyoming, Iowa<\/a>, Kansas<\/a>, Nebraska<\/a>\u00a0and Vermont.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n Meanwhile, eight states have moderate levels of the virus in wastewater samples, such as California, Hawaii, Illinois, Louisiana, Nevada<\/a>, New Mexico, Tennessee and West Virginia.\u00a0<\/p>\n Most of the South, Southwest, and West Coast are in the clear, with more than 30 remaining states at very low or low levels, including Florida, Texas, Colorado, Oregon, Virginia<\/a>, and Washington.<\/p>\n ‘We\u2019re seeing RSV continue to circulate around much of the US,’ Dr Robert Hopkins, medical director of the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases, told TODAY.com. ‘It is certainly later than we expect. The season is extending into the spring.’<\/p>\n For infants under eight months old, these typically mild infections can lead to serious complications like bronchiolitis \u2014 inflamed small airways \u2014 and pneumonia<\/p>\n<\/div>\n![\"For](\"https:\/\/i.dailymail.co.uk\/1s\/2026\/04\/06\/20\/107689331-15709803-For_infants_under_8_months_old_these_typically_mild_infections_c-a-3_1775503918729.jpg\")
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