Flu Infections Surge in the U.S.
NEW YORK — Flu cases have surged in the United States over the holiday season, prompting health officials to label it as a severe season that may soon worsen.
Recent government data, released on Monday and covering flu activity up to the week of Christmas, indicates that this flu season may already be outpacing last winter’s epidemic, which was one of the harshest the country has seen in recent times.
COVID-19 cases are also on the rise, according to federal statistics, although they are less prevalent than influenza.
During the Christmas week, 45 states reported high or very high flu activity, a significant increase from 30 states the previous week.
Public health experts suggest that a specific type of flu virus, A H3N2, is likely responsible for the increased numbers. Historically, this variant has been linked to the most hospitalizations and fatalities among older adults. So far this season, it has been the most commonly reported strain. Worryingly, over 90% of the analyzed H3N2 infections are of a new version, the subclade K variant, which differs from the strain included in this year’s flu vaccines.
Flu seasons typically don’t reach their peak until January or February, making it difficult to predict the impact of this mismatch at this stage.
The previous flu season faced challenges, recording the highest hospitalization rates since the H1N1 flu pandemic 15 years ago. There were 288 pediatric flu deaths, marking the worst statistics for an average flu season in the U.S.
This season, there have been nine reported pediatric flu deaths. Notably, the rate of emergency room visits related to flu among children has already surpassed the highest levels recorded during the 2024-2025 season.
The rate of visits to doctors’ offices and medical clinics due to flu-like illness also exceeded the previous season’s highest mark by late last month.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that there have been at least 11 million flu illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations, and 5,000 deaths this season.
The agency advises that everyone aged six months and older who hasn’t yet received this season’s vaccination should get an annual flu shot.
