Flu activity is erupting around the country

WASHINGTON — There is a massive increase in flu activity across the country, hospitalizations are rising and the number of illnesses so far this season is far higher than last year, according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The CDC’s weekly U.S. influenza surveillance report, released Tuesday, showed key flu indicators, from hospitalization rates to deaths to influenza-positive lab tests, trending above last week.

Hospitalizations in particular saw a rapid increase, with the number of admitted influenza patients almost doubling in a week’s time, from just under 10,000 to just under 20,000.

The CDC reported five new flu-related pediatric deaths during the week, bringing the total number of children who have died from influenza-related illness this current season to eight.

Overall, the federal health agency estimates the flu has caused at least 7.5 million illnesses, 81,000 hospitalizations and 3,100 deaths so far in the 2025-26 season.

That represents a dramatic increase from last year, when the CDC projected there would be at least 3.1 million illnesses, 37,000 hospitalizations and 1,500 deaths overall at the same time in the 2024-25 season.

All three categories so far this season have more than doubled compared to the same time last year. The CDC said in its report that “influenza activity is expected to continue for several weeks.”

Last season, hospitalizations due to the flu didn’t peak until February, the highest peak in more than a decade.

According to CDC data, most of the activity so far is being driven by a new strain — a variant of influenza A, and specifically A (H3N2) — known as subclade K. Some people refer to it colloquially as the “super flu.”

According to the CDC, of ​​the 275 influenza A (H3N2) viruses that were collected and given additional genetic characterization since September 28, 2025, 89.5% belonged to subclade K.

Meanwhile, the CDC reported that the number of states seeing “high or very high” flu activity increased to 32, up from 17 last week.

The states seeing the most activity are New York, Colorado, South Carolina and Louisiana, followed by New Mexico, Idaho, Michigan, New Hampshire, Massachusetts and Connecticut.

For example, New York state saw its highest number of flu cases in a single week from Dec. 14 to 20, said Dr. James McDonald, its health commissioner. The week’s total of 71,123 cases is an increase of 38% compared to the previous seven-day period.

The CDC report released Tuesday covers the week ending Dec. 20. Next week’s update is scheduled to be posted on Monday.

Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. The government health agency faces uncertainty after Kennedy Jr. ousted members of his key vaccination advisory committee and replaced them with his favorites, which is likely to lead to more changes to vaccine recommendations.

The CDC notes in its weekly update that it recommends that everyone ages 6 months and older get an annual flu vaccine.