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Flu, norovirus and other illnesses circulating in Maine

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Flu, norovirus and other illnesses circulating in Maine


While influenza remains the top concern for Maine public health experts, other viruses are also currently circulating, including norovirus and COVID-19.

“Influenza is clearly the main event,” said Dr. Cheryl Liechty, a MaineHealth infectious disease specialist. “The curve in terms of the rise of influenza cases was really steep.”

Maine reported 1,343 flu cases for the week ending Jan. 3, an uptick from the 1,283 cases recorded the previous week, according to the Maine Center for Disease Control and Prevention. Hospitalizations increased to 147 from 108 during the same time periods.

“I hope the peak is now,” Liechty said, “but I’m not really sure.”

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The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported on Friday that all of New England, except for Vermont, is currently experiencing “very high” levels of influenza. Vermont is in the “moderate” category.

“What we are seeing, overwhelmingly, is the flu,” said Andrew Donovan, associate vice president of infection prevention for Northern Light Health. “We are seeing both respiratory and gastrointestinal viruses in our patients.”

Norovirus also appears to be circulating, although due to its short duration and because it’s less severe than the flu, public health data on the illness — which causes gastrointestinal symptoms that typically resolve within a few days — is not as robust.

“Norovirus is the gastrointestinal scourge of New England winters and cruise ships,” Liechty said.

According to surveillance data at wastewater treatment plants in Portland, Bangor and Lewiston, norovirus levels detected in those communities are currently “high.” The treatment plants participate in WastewaterSCAN, which reports virus levels in wastewater through a program run by Stanford University and Emory University.

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Dr. Genevieve Whiting, a Westbrook pediatrician and secretary of the Maine chapter of the American Academy of Pediatrics, said viruses are prevalent right now, especially the flu and norovirus.

“For my patients right now, it’s a rare encounter that I hear everyone in a family has been healthy,” Whiting said. “I’ve had families come in and say their entire family has had norovirus. Several of my patients have had ER visits for suspected norovirus, where they needed IV fluids because they were dehydrated.”

Both Liechty and Whiting said they are seeing less respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, likely because there has been good uptake of the new RSV vaccine, which is recommended for older people and those who are pregnant. The vaccine was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 2023.

“The RSV vaccine has been a real success, as RSV was a leading cause of hospitalizations for babies,” Whiting said.

Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases increased to 610 in the final week of 2025, compared to 279 the previous week. Influenza and COVID-19 vaccinations are available at primary care, pharmacies and clinics across the state.

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“If you haven’t gotten your flu shot yet,” Liechty said, “you should beat a hasty path to get your shot.”



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Maine astronaut Jessica Meir shares stunning aurora view from ISS

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Maine astronaut Jessica Meir shares stunning aurora view from ISS


INTERNATIONAL SPACE STATION, (WGME) — Maine native and NASA astronaut Jessica Meir is giving us a look into her view from the International Space Station.

Meir shared this breathtaking view on X Sunday. It’s a stunning aurora show.

Meir is the commander for NASA’s SpaceX Crew-12 mission.

Maine native and NASA astronaut Jessica Meir is giving us a look into her view from the International Space Station. (Courtesy of Jessica Meir)

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She says there is a lot going on right now on the space station.

A few days ago, astronauts had to deal with a leak.

Meir says everyone on board is safe and happy to see the spectacular views.

The SpaceX Crew-12 has been up in the stars for 115 days.



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Showers passing across Maine today; warmer and drier to start the workweek

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Showers passing across Maine today; warmer and drier to start the workweek


BANGOR, Maine (WABI) – Good morning, and Happy Sunday everyone. Skies are on the cloudier side across Maine this morning with scattered showers for much of the state. A couple of breaks in clouds can be found here or there. Temperatures vary throughout the 50s for most, while reaching the 60s and low 70s in Southern Maine as more consistent sunshine is allowing for plenty of heating. Patchy fog remains across a good chunk of the state with some towns under one mile. Winds are on the calmer side this morning.

The morning hours will remain cloudier with showers and patchy fog for many. By the afternoon, showers will continue for most of the state, but will taper off from the NW to SE. This means conditions will dry out with sunshine developing across Northern Maine by the midafternoon. Showers will continue along the interstate until 3-4pm, with sunshine then filtering in by the later evening hours. Coastal locations will experience showers until the later evening hours, with clouds breaking by sunset, allowing for some sun to end the day. High temps today will vary from the upper 50s to low 70s. Dewpoints will become sticky in spots. Winds will be on the lighter side in the morning, before becoming breezy in the afternoon with WSW to NNW gusts reaching 25-35 mph.

Rainfall totals today will vary between a quarter to a half of an inch for most. Some pockets to the northwest, however, will only reach a tenth of an inch to a quarter inch.

Conditions will be quiet tonight. Besides a few clouds and light showers Downeast shortly before sunset, skies will clear with mostly to completely clear conditions and some patchy morning fog. Low temps will reach the low 40s to low 50s with North to NNW gusts remaining a bit breezy, reaching 20-30 mph.

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Monday will be a dry day, and in my opinion, the pick of the week. Skies will be sunny with just a few clouds developing later in the evening. High temps will warm up, from the low 70s to low 80s. NNW/SW gusts will remain just a little breezy, reaching 20-25 mph.

Another beautiful day with mostly sunny skies is expected on Tuesday. However, temperatures will really start to warm. Highs will vary from the mid 70s to upper 80s. WNW/SW gusts will only reach 20 mph.

Above average temperatures will carry on Wednesday through Friday with highs throughout the 70s and 80s for most. However, this stretch of days is becoming increasingly unsettled. Showers and thunderstorms look increasingly more likely to develop during the afternoons as some frontal systems pass through. The greatest chance of showers and storms will be Wednesday night through Thursday. More cloud cover is thus expected, so temperatures aren’t looking to peak as high as they were originally expected to reach. Dewpoints will also become sticky towards the end of the work week, reaching into the 60s on Thursday and Friday.

SUNDAY: Highs from upper 50s to low 70s. Cloudier AM with showers. PM showers tapering off from NW to SE. Evening sunshine developing. Slightly sticky dewpoints. WSW to NNW gusts reach 25-35 mph during PM.

MONDAY: Highs from low 70s to low 80s. Sunny skies. A few evening clouds. NNW/SW gusts reach 20-25 mph.

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TUESDAY: Highs from mid 70s to upper 80s. Mostly sunny skies. WNW/SW gusts reach 20 mph.

WEDNESDAY: Highs from low 70s to upper 80s. Partly to mostly cloudy AM. Cloudy PM with showers & storms possible. Slightly sticky dewpoints. SW gusts reach 15-20 mph.

THURSDAY: Highs from upper 60s to mid 80s. Partly to mostly cloudy. Showers & storms possible. Sticky dewpoints. South/SW gusts reach 15-20 mph.

FRIDAY: Highs from mid 60s to low 80s. Partly cloudy, few mostly cloudy spots. PM showers/storms possible. Sticky dewpoints. South gusts reach 15-20 mph.

Copyright 2026 WABI. All rights reserved.

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Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner defends his past on campaign trail

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Maine Senate candidate Graham Platner defends his past on campaign trail


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Nightly News

At a rally with supporters, Maine Democratic Senate candidate Graham Platner spoke out to defend his past after appearing to address new allegations made against him by three women who spoke with the New York Times. Some voters said they are sticking with Platner despite the controversy. NBC News’ Monica Alba reports.

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