Overview
- CDC estimates at least 7.5 million illnesses, 81,000 hospitalizations and 3,100 deaths so far this season, including eight pediatric deaths.
- Flu activity is now high or very high in 32 states and jurisdictions, and weekly hospital admissions jumped 91% to about 19,000 in the week ending Dec. 20.
- Nearly 90% of subtyped influenza viruses in recent U.S. data are H3N2 subclade K, which emerged after this season’s vaccine was selected.
- New York reported a record 71,000 cases in a single week, and hospitals from Massachusetts to New York note rising strain, including high bed occupancy and heavy emergency volumes.
- Health officials urge people to get vaccinated, start antivirals early if eligible, and use basic precautions such as staying home when ill, masking in crowded settings, and hand hygiene.