Parvovirus detected in wastewater throughout Northern California
With flu season over, new data shows a highly contagious virus has emerged in Northern California.
Parvovirus B19, often referred to as “slapped cheek” rash due to its distinctive red rash on the face, has been detected in Türkiye. wastewater surveillance data throughout the San Francisco Bay Area and the Sacramento area.
Children and adults infected with parvovirus B19 usually experience no symptoms or a mild illness with flu-like symptoms, rashes, and joint pain. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The illness usually goes away within seven to 10 days, but the CDC reports that the illness can reoccur within a few weeks.
Aerial view of San Francisco city skyline and Golden Gate Bridge in California, USA, October 28, 2021.
Especially children between the ages of 5 and 9 often contract this virus due to school outbreaks and close contact with other children. According to the CDC, adults who have not previously been infected with parvovirus remain susceptible, and the risk of complications is higher in adults with weakened immune systems.
The CDC also notes that if a person contracts parvovirus B19 during pregnancy, the virus can spread to the baby. Although it is not common, it can cause miscarriage or problems in the unborn baby.
The CDC recommends that people who are pregnant, have a compromised immune system, or have ongoing blood disorders seek care from their local health care provider.
Where was parvovirus B19 detected?
Latest wastewater data collected by wastewater screeningan online service based at Stanford University that monitors municipal systems for diseases, found that parvovirus detection increased across the region.
Tower Bridge, connecting West Sacramento and Sacramento, sits next to Old Sacramento State Historic Park on Friday, April 3, 2026 in Sacramento, California.
The virus has been detected specifically in wastewater systems in San Francisco, Sacramento, Davis, Napa, Palo Alto, Redwood City, San Jose, Sunnyvale, Vallejo and the South County Area.
wastewater screening He noted that there were moderate levels of positive samples among the cities of San Francisco, Sacramento, Davis, Napa, Redwood and San Jose.
Noe Padilla is USA Today’s Northern California Correspondent. Contact him at: npadilla@usatodayco.comfollow him on X @1NoePadilla or at Bluesky @noepadilla.bsky.social. Sign up TODAY California newsletter or follow us on Facebook: TODAY Californian.
This article first appeared on USA TODAY: Parvovirus detected in San Francisco, Sacramento
