Flu-like Illness Activity Reaches Record Highs in the U.S.

Jan 6, 2026, 2:31 AM

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Flu activity in the United States is surging, with newly released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicating that flu-like illness activity has reached the highest rate on record. Approximately 8% of outpatient visits to healthcare providers were classified as flu-like illnesses, surpassing any levels recorded since 1997, the earliest year for which data is available.

The CDC estimates that there have been at least 120,000 hospitalizations this flu season, marking a 48.1% increase from the previous week. The rise in flu cases is particularly pronounced among children and young adults, with about 35% of outpatient visits for respiratory illnesses occurring in individuals under 24 years old. Children under the age of five accounted for approximately 20% of these visits.

In total, the CDC reports that there have been at least 11 million illnesses and 5,000 deaths attributed to the flu this season, including at least nine pediatric deaths. New York has been particularly hard hit, reporting the highest number of flu hospitalizations recorded in a single week, with over 72,000 cases for the week ending December 20, 2023.

The current surge in flu cases is largely driven by a new strain known as subclade K, a variant of the H3N2 virus, which has been circulating since the summer in other countries. This strain was a significant factor in the increase of flu cases in Canada, Japan, and the UK Of the 994 flu samples tested since September 30, nearly all were identified as influenza A, with approximately 90% being H3N2.

Experts anticipate that flu-like illnesses will continue to rise in the coming weeks, warning that the peak of this season's flu activity has likely not yet been reached. In addition to influenza, other respiratory viruses such as COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) are also contributing to the overall increase in respiratory illness activity during this time of year.

The CDC currently recommends that everyone aged six months and older receive an annual flu vaccine, with few exceptions. Vaccination is particularly crucial for individuals at higher risk of serious complications. Despite the availability of the flu vaccine, the uptake remains relatively low, with only about 42.2% of adults and 42.3% of children having received the shot as of mid-December 2023.

Last flu season, 289 children died from the virus, nearly all of whom were unvaccinated, marking the highest number of pediatric deaths recorded since tracking began in 2004. This season has already seen one additional pediatric death reported, raising concerns among health officials about the potential for further fatalities if vaccination rates do not improve.

In response to the ongoing flu crisis, health officials are urging the public to take preventive measures, including vaccination and practicing good hygiene. "It's definitely not too late to get a flu vaccine if you haven't done it already," stated Lisa Grohskopf, a medical officer in the CDC's influenza division. Additionally, wearing masks in crowded settings and maintaining social distance can help reduce the spread of the virus.

As the flu season progresses, the CDC continues to monitor the situation closely, emphasizing the importance of vaccination and public health measures to mitigate the impact of this severe flu season. The agency has launched a national outreach campaign to raise awareness and encourage vaccination among the public, aiming to empower individuals with the tools they need to stay healthy during this challenging time.

With flu-like illness activity at unprecedented levels, the coming weeks will be critical in determining the trajectory of this season's flu outbreak and the effectiveness of public health interventions.

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