As the holiday season unfolded, many Americans found themselves battling more than just seasonal celebrations. Flu activity has surged across 40 states with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reporting high or very high levels of illness last week. Experts are sounding the alarm as flu cases climb, accompanied by a rise in other respiratory illnesses, including COVID-19 and RSV.
According the report by CDC, during Week 52, public health laboratories reported a total of 1,254 influenza viruses, with 1,234 being influenza A and 20 influenza B. Of the 823 influenza A viruses subtyped, 335 (40.7%) were influenza A(H1N1)pdm09 and 488 (59.3%) were A(H3N2). These numbers reflect the ongoing increase in seasonal influenza activity across the country, alongside rising hospitalizations and emergency department visits.
Flu Cases on the Rise This Winter
CDC’s Carrie Reed acknowledged the widespread flu activity, noting, “A lot of flu out there.” The flu is being driven by several seasonal strains, with no single dominant variant leading the charge. While other viruses like COVID-19 and RSV, which cause cold-like symptoms but can be particularly dangerous for infants and the elderly, continue to circulate, flu cases are currently outpacing the others.
Pediatric hospitals have faced high volumes of RSV cases since November, but according to Dr. Jason Newland, an infectious diseases specialist, “influenza has now joined the party,” adding that hospitals are experiencing increased strain as flu cases ramp up.
Flu Activity Most Intense in the South and West
One way to track flu activity is by monitoring the percentage of doctor’s office visits related to flu-like symptoms. Last week, this number mirrored the peak of last winter’s respiratory virus season, a sign that flu cases are surging as they did last year. Reed pointed out that the holiday period often skews data, as many people avoid doctor visits during the festive season unless symptoms are severe.
Flu activity has been especially high in the Southern, Southwestern, and Western U.S., while states in the northern Great Plains and New England have reported fewer cases.
Impact of Flu This Season
So far this flu season, the CDC estimates 5.3 million illnesses, 63,000 hospitalizations, and 2,700 deaths, including 11 child fatalities. While the overall severity of this year’s flu season remains uncertain, Dr. Newland notes that it seems to be following a relatively typical pattern, at least among children. Health officials continue to recommend annual flu vaccinations for everyone aged six months and older. They stress that it’s not too late to get vaccinated.
Aside from the flu, the CDC is monitoring a rise in norovirus outbreaks, with 91 reported in early December. The agency is also keeping an eye on the H5N1 strain of bird flu, although the risk to the public remains low. Last year, 66 human cases of H5N1 were reported, but none in the past week.
