Flu Season Takes a Grim Turn in Illinois

Illinois officials have reported the first influenza-related death in a child this season. The state’s flu activity has sharply escalated to what’s categorized as “very high.”

The Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) is urging residents to be cautious to help curb the flu’s spread as infection rates continue to rise.

“We’ve observed an unprecedented amount of flu cases, more than in recent years,” commented Dr. Robert Citronberg, who oversees infectious disease and prevention at Advocate Health Care.

The increase in flu activity now sits at the highest level in a five-tier scale established by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

Meanwhile, COVID-19 cases in Illinois have reached “moderate” levels, according to the CDC.

While officials did not specify the location of the child’s death, it’s unclear whether the child had received a vaccination.

“We’ve seen a significant and rapid increase in patients over the last few weeks, leading to serious illness in some cases,” Citronberg expressed. “Patients are ending up in our intensive care units, and tragically, we have even lost some to influenza.”

This season, there have been nine pediatric deaths nationwide attributed to the flu, as reported by the IDPH.

In the previous 2024-2025 season, Illinois recorded 12 pediatric deaths from influenza, alongside six from respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and three from COVID-19.

In Cook County, emergency room visits due to influenza have already surpassed last year’s peak number.

Moreover, flu-related ICU admissions are currently double those from last season, raising some alarms.

“Typically, we see a gradual pattern with flu cases, but this year is especially concerning given the high numbers,” remarked Dr. Trevor Lewis, Cook County Health’s assistant chair of Emergency Medicine. “The increase likely started around mid-December, coinciding with holiday gatherings and children returning to school, causing a spike in cases over the past couple of weeks.”

The flu is not just a local issue; nationwide, the CDC has reported that nearly 45 states are experiencing high or very high levels of flu activity.

Approximately 8% of health care visits were classified as flu-like symptoms, marking the highest rate since 1997. This category includes patients with fevers, coughs, and/or sore throats.

As it stands, at least 11 million illnesses and 5,000 deaths from flu have been documented this season.

The majority of cases this year are linked to a new variant known as subclade K, a variant of the H3N2 virus, which is part of influenza A. Health experts suggest this strain has decreased the effectiveness of the flu vaccine.

Despite that, getting vaccinated remains a strong recommendation.

It’s notable that subclade K has been prevalent since last summer in other countries, contributing to an uptick in cases in places like Canada and the U.K.

“Even if the flu shot isn’t perfect this year, it still helps prevent severe outcomes and fatalities. You might catch the flu, but hopefully avoid a hospital stay,” Citronberg noted.

Dr. Lewis emphasized the importance of good hygiene practices, such as proper handwashing and covering coughs, especially in public spaces.