{"id":24157,"date":"2026-01-07T05:31:54","date_gmt":"2026-01-07T10:31:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/miami\/2026\/01\/07\/flu-surges-in-45-states-highest-in-30-years\/"},"modified":"2026-01-07T05:31:55","modified_gmt":"2026-01-07T10:31:55","slug":"flu-surges-in-45-states-highest-in-30-years","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/citystuff.com\/miami\/2026\/01\/07\/flu-surges-in-45-states-highest-in-30-years\/","title":{"rendered":"Flu surges in 45 states, highest in 30 years"},"content":{"rendered":"

Flu Surges Across the US<\/h1>\n

Introduction to the Flu Season<\/h2>\n

The 2025-26 flu season has begun, and doctors’ visits for flu-like symptoms have reached the highest level in nearly 30 years, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). At least 5,000 people have died this season, including nine children. The flu has accounted for more than 11 million illnesses this season and 120,000 hospitalizations.<\/p>\n

Current State of Flu Activity<\/h2>\n

For the week ending Dec. 27, the CDC reported that nearly 1 in 10 outpatient visits nationwide \u2014 8.2% \u2014 were for flu-like illnesses. That\u2019s the highest logged since the CDC started tracking such visits in 1997. Forty-five states are experiencing high to very high levels of flu activity. Only Montana, South Dakota, Vermont, and West Virginia are experiencing low to moderate flu spread. Data for Nevada was \u201cinsufficient,\u201d the agency said.<\/p>\n

Impact of Holiday Season on Flu Activity<\/h2>\n

Because the latest data is from the week of Christmas, it doesn\u2019t yet reflect illnesses caused by holiday travel and gatherings. \u201cIt\u2019s still too soon to know what the impact of the holiday season is going to be on flu activity,\u201d said Krista Kniss, an epidemiologist in the CDC\u2019s influenza division. \u201cWe\u2019re not anywhere close to being done.\u201d <\/p>\n

Hospitalizations and Patient Conditions<\/h2>\n

Dr. Nick Cozzi, emergency medical services director for Rush University Medical Center in Chicago, said the flu is keeping his team \u201cincredibly busy.\u201d \u201cI see a lot of patients coming in with cough, runny nose, shortness of breath, diarrhea, and bone-chilling body aches,\u201d he said. Compounding the problem, many patients are dealing with other viruses, like Covid or RSV, on top of flu, Cozzi said. A significant number of patients, he said, are also having trouble breathing. \u201cWe\u2019re admitting patients at a higher rate than we normally do,\u201d he said. \u201cTheir oxygen levels are lower than normal, creating a potential situation which can be life-threatening unless they receive supplemental oxygen.\u201d<\/p>\n

Flu Hospitalizations at Johns Hopkins<\/h2>\n

At Johns Hopkins in Baltimore, flu hospitalizations more than doubled in the last two weeks compared with the previous two-week period, said Dr. Emily Boss, director of pediatric otolaryngology at Johns Hopkins Children\u2019s Center. \u201cThis rise is earlier than last year by about a month,\u201d Boss said. \u201cWe don\u2019t know yet what the peak will look like compared to prior seasons.\u201d<\/p>\n

Changes in Flu Shot Recommendations<\/h2>\n

The 2025-26 flu season follows the deadliest season for children since the CDC began tracking pediatric deaths. On Monday, the CDC reported an additional death of a child last season, bringing the total to 289, eclipsing even the number of pediatric deaths from the 2009 H1N1 pandemic. It\u2019s too soon to know how harsh this season will be for children, although under Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.\u2019s guidance, the U.S. is no longer recommending that all children get annual flu shots. On Monday, the Department of Health and Human Services announced a major overhaul of the childhood vaccination schedule. Effective immediately, the administration said, the flu vaccine will be taken off of the official childhood vaccine schedule.<\/p>\n

Concerns Over New Recommendations<\/h2>\n

\u201cTo back off on a flu recommendation in the midst of a pretty severe flu year seems to me to be pretty tone-deaf,\u201d Dr. Sean O\u2019Leary, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics\u2019 committee on infectious diseases, said on a call with reporters. \u201cAnd that\u2019s coming off an influenza year where we had the most childhood deaths from influenza in many years.\u201d As of Monday afternoon, the CDC\u2019s website still stated: \u201cEveryone 6 months and older, with rare exceptions, should get a flu vaccine.\u201d<\/p>\n

Real-Life Impact of the Flu<\/h2>\n

Flu\u2019s potential to wreak havoc on otherwise healthy young children is playing out in Naya Kessler\u2019s hospital room at UC Davis Medical Center in Sacramento. Naya, 3, has been vomiting and running a fever since she was diagnosed with the flu on Dec. 29, Kessler said. \u201cShe was getting pretty dehydrated. She wasn\u2019t taking anything in. Her fevers were continuously spiking,\u201d Kessler said. \u201cThere was just something screaming at me in my mind that something was wrong.\u201d Naya was hospitalized Wednesday. She remains in the hospital, nearly a week later. Kat Kessler said everyone in her family, including Naya, got this year\u2019s flu shot. \u201cI can\u2019t even imagine how much worse it might be for her if we didn\u2019t,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n

Conclusion<\/h2>\n

The flu season is proving to be particularly severe, with high levels of flu activity reported in 45 states. The CDC has reported significant numbers of illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths, including among children. Changes in flu shot recommendations have raised concerns among health professionals, who emphasize the importance of vaccination in preventing severe flu cases. As the season continues, it is crucial for individuals to take preventive measures and seek medical attention if they experience flu-like symptoms.<\/p>\n

FAQs<\/h2>\n