Utah is currently dealing with three major respiratory viruses at different stages of activity, plus ongoing norovirus concerns. As of late February 2026, RSV is on the rise, flu is still circulating but winding down, and COVID-19 remains at low levels with signs of a possible uptick. Here’s what’s spreading, who’s most at risk, and how to protect yourself.
RSV Is Surging, Especially for Kids
RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) is the biggest concern in Utah right now, with activity actively increasing. This virus causes cold-like symptoms in most adults but can be dangerous for infants, young children, and older adults. It inflames the small airways in the lungs and can make breathing difficult, particularly for babies under six months old.
Utah’s Intermountain Primary Children’s Hospital has seen a rapid increase in children needing hospitalization for RSV, filling all pediatric beds across the state. The highest hospitalization rates are among children and older adults. If you have a baby or young child showing signs of labored breathing, wheezing, poor feeding, or unusual lethargy, those are the signals that need prompt medical attention. Most older children and adults will recover on their own with rest and fluids, but the very young and very old face real risk from this virus.
Flu Is Fading but Still Around
Influenza activity in Utah is decreasing, which is typical for this point in winter. That said, the virus is still circulating, and you can still catch it. Flu symptoms tend to hit fast: fever, body aches, chills, fatigue, and a cough that comes on suddenly rather than building over days. Most healthy adults recover within a week or two, though it can linger as fatigue for longer.
Even as flu winds down, it remains a leading cause of hospitalization alongside RSV, particularly for older adults, pregnant women, and people with chronic health conditions like asthma or diabetes. If you haven’t been vaccinated this season, the shot can still offer some protection for the remaining weeks of circulation.
COVID-19 Is Low but Worth Watching
COVID-19 activity is currently low in Utah, though state health officials note it may be increasing. At this stage of the season, a bump in cases isn’t unusual, and it’s worth paying attention to if you’re in a higher-risk group or live with someone who is. Symptoms still overlap heavily with flu and other respiratory viruses: fever, cough, sore throat, congestion, fatigue, and sometimes loss of taste or smell.
The practical challenge remains the same as previous years. You can’t reliably tell COVID apart from flu or RSV based on symptoms alone. A rapid test at home is the fastest way to know what you’re dealing with, which matters if you’re eligible for antiviral treatment that works best in the first few days of illness.
Norovirus Linked to Contaminated Oysters
Beyond respiratory viruses, Utah has been dealing with a norovirus outbreak tied to frozen half-shell oysters imported from South Korea. The Utah Department of Agriculture and Food, along with state and county health departments, traced the outbreak to Utah County, with contaminated product distributed to restaurants in Cache, Davis, Salt Lake, and Utah counties. The affected oysters were harvested between December 30, 2024, and August 6, 2025.
Norovirus is the classic “stomach bug.” Symptoms appear 12 to 48 hours after exposure and include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach cramps, sometimes with fever and headache. It spreads easily from person to person even after the initial food source is removed, so outbreaks can ripple through households and workplaces quickly. Frequent handwashing with soap and water (not just hand sanitizer, which is less effective against norovirus) is the best defense. If you’ve eaten Korean frozen half-shell oysters recently and develop symptoms, you can report your illness at igotsick.health.utah.gov.
Avian Flu in Poultry Flocks
Utah also saw detections of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1) in commercial turkey operations in Sanpete County during fall 2025, affecting nearly 88,000 birds across four facilities. All four sites have since been released from quarantine. This strain has been spreading across the U.S. poultry industry and poses a concern primarily for people who work directly with infected birds. There is no risk from properly cooked poultry or eggs, and no human cases have been reported in Utah. If you keep backyard chickens or turkeys and notice sudden die-offs, unusual lethargy, or respiratory distress in your flock, the state veterinarian’s office handles those reports.
How to Protect Yourself This Season
Vaccines are available for three of the major circulating threats: flu, COVID-19, and RSV. Utah’s Department of Health and Human Services recommends flu and COVID-19 vaccines for everyone six months and older. RSV vaccines are recommended for specific groups, including older adults and pregnant women (to protect newborns). Pneumonia vaccines are also available for people at higher risk. It takes about two weeks after vaccination for your immune system to build strong protection, so earlier is better, but getting vaccinated now still offers benefit while these viruses circulate.
You can get vaccinated at healthcare provider offices, pharmacies, local health departments, and community health centers throughout the state. Beyond vaccination, the basics still work: wash your hands frequently, stay home when you’re sick, and keep some rapid COVID tests on hand so you can act quickly if symptoms appear.