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Respiratory Virus Risk Reports

Comprehensive Insights for COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV

COVID-19, Influenza, and RSV Wastewater Monitoring in the U.S. | Week of October 25, 2025

 

Throughout the respiratory season, we analyze wastewater for the presence of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and influenza virus (types A and B). Together with COVID-19, these three pathogens are outsized contributors to our seasonal respiratory illness burden. In this data series, we’ll guide you through the wealth of data we’ve gathered from our Biobot Network of national sampling sites, aiming to shed light on emerging trends in respiratory virus activity and community viral load. Our goal is to equip you with information to make informed decisions.

Data Note: Samples are collected from participating locations, and processed by our lab team on a rolling basis. Each point on the figure represents the weekly average concentration, from Sunday – Saturday (corresponding to the MMWR week), aligned to that week’s Saturday.

Contributors
Marisa Donnelly, PhD

Public Health Partnerships Epidemiologist

Previous Risk Reports

Summary: Week of 10/25/25

Biobot’s national wastewater network shows that RSV continues to slowly pick up in the South through October 25 (week 43). COVID-19 is continues to decrease and influenza A and B are holding steady at very low levels. Due to the government shutdown, the CDC is not updating their dashboards, so we don’t know the current hospitalization rates for any of the respiratory viruses. They have not been updated since September 20th.

The Bottom Line: The RSV season has started and is slowly picking up. COVID-19 and flu remain low, though we are keeping a close eye on both. 

National Outlook

COVID-19

National SARS-CoV-2 concentrations are decreasing.

Influenza

National flu A and B concentrations are holding steady at very low levels.

RSV

National RSV concentrations have started slowly increasing—the RSV season is here. 

Regional

The South

COVID-19: SARS-CoV-2 concentrations are decreasing in the South.

Influenza: Influenza A and B concentrations are holding steady at very low levels in the South.

RSV: RSV concentrations are increasing in the South, though remain low.

The Midwest

COVID-19: SARS-CoV-2 concentrations slightly increased in the Midwest but are still low.

Influenza: Influenza A and B concentrations are holding steady at very low levels in the Midwest.

RSV: RSV concentrations are holding steady at very low levels in the Midwest.

The Northeast

COVID-19: SARS-CoV-2 concentrations are decreasing in the Northeast.

Influenza: Influenza A and B concentrations are holding steady at very low levels in the Northeast. 

RSV: RSV concentrations are holding steady at very low levels in the Northeast.

The West

COVID-19: SARS-CoV-2 concentrations are decreasing in the West.

Influenza: Influenza A and B concentrations are holding steady at very low levels in the West.

RSV: RSV concentrations are holding steady at very low levels in the West.

Footnotes: 
We continue to monitor the evolving H5N1 influenza virus situation, and can now test samples specifically for H5 (including H5N1) — see our blog here and please reach out to hello@biobot.io if interested. A quick reminder that Biobot’s influenza A assay described in this report includes the H5N1 influenza subtype, which is an influenza A virus, but does not distinguish between the different subtypes of influenza A (e.g. H5N1 vs H1N1). We will share any important updates as we have them via Bluesky and in the risk reports.

Wastewater data from Biobot Analytics for RSV, influenza, and SARS-CoV-2 are through October 25, 2025 (MMWR week 43). Clinical data for RSV, influenza, and COVID-19 from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have not been updated since September 20, 2025 (MMWR week 38) due to the government shutdown.