Bismarck health officials are urging residents to get vaccinated and take precautions as respiratory illness season approaches, warning of increased flu, COVID-19, and RSV activity this fall.

Each year, respiratory illness season strains hospitals across North Dakota. With cooler weather setting in, officials say vaccines, handwashing, and staying home when sick remain the best defenses. The North Dakota Department of Health & Human Services reports a rise in early flu cases statewide and notes new COVID-19 booster availability for fall 2025.

At the same time, residents are also weighing in on the state’s long-range “Transportation Connection: 2025-2050” plan. Public input meetings recently held in Bismarck and Dickinson highlighted community priorities for safer roads, better public transit, and long-term infrastructure resilience.

For Bismarck families, health officials stress the importance of protecting school-aged children, seniors, and those with chronic conditions—groups most vulnerable to severe illness. Local clinics, pharmacies, and Sanford Health are ramping up vaccine availability, while Burleigh County Public Health is offering extended walk-in hours through October.

Transportation planning ties into these health concerns: improved bus routes and safer pedestrian options are seen as vital for seniors and families who rely on public transit to access healthcare and services.

At a recent Transportation Connection meeting, Bismarck resident Aaron Keller noted, “Reliable transit matters. Whether it’s getting to a doctor’s appointment or just groceries, transportation and health are connected in ways people don’t always see.”

As Bismarck prepares for respiratory illness season, health officials emphasize that prevention today can mean fewer hospital visits tomorrow. Coupled with long-range transportation planning, city leaders are focused on ensuring both healthier residents and stronger infrastructure for decades ahead.