INDIANA – The latest January WastewaterSCAN data for Indiana, which shows a significant statewide escalation in viral activity. Currently, South Bend, Carmel, Bloomington, and Jeffersonville have all reached “High” concentrations for COVID-19, Influenza A, and RSV.
While these trends mirror a national post-holiday surge, Indiana currently hosts several viral outliers. Specifically, South Bend and Carmel are seeing “High” levels of Influenza B and HMPV, both of which remain in the “Low” category nationally. This early localized activity suggests these regions may face a more complex respiratory season than other parts of the country.
Key Local and National Highlights:
- Statewide Surge: All monitored Indiana sites are now “High” for Influenza A and RSV. Nationally, RSV concentrations have jumped a staggering 134% this month, while Influenza A is up 86%.
- Hotspots to Watch: We are tracking a sharp upward trend for COVID-19 and RSV in North Jeffersonville, and a spike in Norovirus and RSV in Carmel.
- The “Stratus” Dominance: COVID-19 remains “High” across the state. The XFG (Stratus) variant is now the dominant strain, accounting for 82.5% of samples sequenced nationally.
- Gastrointestinal Alert: Norovirus has reached “High” levels in South Bend, Carmel, and Jeffersonville. In Carmel, we are also seeing “Medium” levels of Hepatitis A, which is currently “Low” nationally.
Wastewater data typically provide a 1–2-week lead time before these trends manifest as increased clinic visits and hospitalizations. Would you be interested in an interview with a WastewaterSCAN expert to discuss the latest viral trends
Respiratory Viruses
COVID-19
- Indiana
- COVID-19 is in the “High” category in South Bend, Carmel, Bloomington, and Jeffersonville, with an upward trend and high concentrations in North Jeffersonville.
- National
- COVID-19 is in the “High” category with no trend and high concentrations.
- Concentrations are up 25% since December, with median concentrations at 30.9k copies/gram (cp/g) over the past 21 days.
- ~95% positive detections in January.
- Sequencing data shows that XFG (Stratus) is the dominant variant and accounts for 82.5% of samples, and NB.1.8.1 at 16%
Influenza A
- Indiana
- Influenza A is in the “High” category at all Indiana sites and is in an upward trend in Jeffersonville, but a lower trend in Bloomington
- National
- Influenza A is in the “High” category nationally, with a downward trend and high concentrations.
- 86% increase in concentrations since December, with median concentrations at 50.4k cp/g over the past 21 days.
- ~99% positive detections for flu A in January.
- Based on subtype data, H3 is driving flu A concentrations.
RSV
- Indiana
- RSV is in the “High” category at all Indiana sites and is an upward trend with high concentrations in Carmel and North Jeffersonville.
- National
- RSV has moved into the “High” category nationally, with an upward trend and high concentrations.
- Concentrations in January are up 134% compared to December. Over the past 21 days, the median concentration was 12.7k copies/gram (cp/g).
- RSV was detected in ~90% of samples in the last 21 days.
- Current RSV concentrations across all regions remain lower than they were at this time last year. For context, the national onset for RSV during the last respiratory virus season began in early December 2025.
Influenza B
- Indiana
- Influenza B is in the “High” category in South Bend and Carmel, but still “Low” in Bloomington and Jefferson
- National
- Influenza B is in the “Low” category nationally and not in season in wastewater, though detection frequency is increasing.
- 44% of samples tested positive in the past 21 days.
HMPV
- Indiana
- HMPV is in the “High” category in South Bend and Carmel and “Low” in Bloomington and Jefferson.
- National
- HMPV is in the “Low” category nationally and not in season in wastewater, though concentrations are increasing.
- 64% of samples tested positive for HMPV in the last 21 days
Gastrointestinal Viruses
Norovirus
- Indiana
- Norovirus is in the “High” category in South Bend and Carmel and Jeffersonville, and trending up in Carmel and Jefferson; it is “Medium” in Bloomington
- National
- Norovirus is in the “High” category nationally, with an upward trend and medium concentrations.
- Norovirus median concentrations in January are up 22% compared to December.
- The median concentration was 9.8M cp/g over the past 21 days
- Last year, we observed an increase in Norovirus concentrations starting in early October and a peak in early February 2025.
Other
EDV68
- Indiana
- EDV68 is in the “Low” category across Indiana
- National
- EV-D68 is in the “Low” category nationally, but “High” in the West.
- EV-D68 was detected in ~30% of samples collected in the last 21 days
- 24 wastewater sites are in season for EV-D68.
Hep A
- Hep A is in the “Low” category nationally.
Indiana
- Hep A is in the ”Medium” category in Carmel, and “Low” in Jeffersonville
National
- Hep A is in the “Low” category nationally.
