Flu cases are surging across the United States, with new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicating a dramatic increase in hospitalizations and illnesses compared to last season. This year, the number of flu-related hospitalizations has nearly doubled in just one week.
Flu Cases Surge Nationwide
According to the CDC’s latest weekly Influenza Surveillance Report, key flu indicators, including hospitalization rates and lab-confirmed cases, are rising sharply. The report shows that hospitalizations rose from just under 10,000 to nearly 20,000 patients within a single week.
Current Statistics
As of now, the CDC estimates a significant impact from the flu this season:
- Illnesses: At least 7.5 million
- Hospitalizations: Approximately 81,000
- Deaths: Around 3,100
This data marks a considerable increase from the same period last year when there were an estimated 3.1 million illnesses, 37,000 hospitalizations, and 1,500 deaths during the 2024-25 season. All current figures are more than double those reported last year.
Emerging Influenza Strain
The recent surge appears to be largely driven by a new variant of influenza A, specifically A(H3N2), categorized as subclade K. This strain has been informally dubbed the “super flu.” Data indicates that approximately 89.5% of the influenza A(H3N2) viruses sampled since September 2025 belong to this subclade.
Pediatric Mortality and States Affected
In addition to the rising number of infections, the CDC has reported five new pediatric deaths linked to the flu, increasing the total to eight for this season. The increase in flu activity has seen the number of states reporting “high or very high” flu levels jump from 17 to 32. States experiencing the highest levels of flu activity include:
- New York
- Colorado
- South Carolina
- Louisiana
- New Mexico
- Idaho
- Michigan
- New Hampshire
- Massachusetts
- Connecticut
New York, for instance, recorded an unprecedented 71,123 flu cases between December 14 and December 20, marking a 38% increase from the previous week.
Future Projections
The CDC has indicated that influenza activity is likely to persist for several weeks. Last year’s hospitalizations did not peak until February, reaching their highest levels in over a decade.
Vaccination Recommendations
The CDC continues to recommend annual flu vaccinations for everyone aged six months and older. This guideline becomes crucial as the government faces challenges surrounding vaccine recommendations and public health measures. Regular updates from the CDC are expected, with the next report set to release on Monday.
