MILWAUKEE (CBS 58) -- A post-holiday spike in respiratory viruses has prompted the Milwaukee Health Department to launch a new dashboard for tracking illnesses such as influenza and respiratory syncytial virus.

It was originally launched in January to track COVID-19 but now includes influenza and RSV.

The dashboard uses wastewater data to monitor virus trends in the community. Health officials say that humans can pass viruses through their waste, and measuring concentrations over time can provide insight into the prevalence of diseases in the area.

The tool aims to give residents and health professionals a clearer picture of respiratory illness trends, particularly as people gather during the winter months.

Click here to see the dashboard.