"Flu illnesses are surging across the country. According to the most recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), positive influenza test results reached the highest levels of the season for the week ending December 27, 2025. The CDC publishes a weekly influenza surveillance report that details positive case counts, illness activity levels by state, and breakdowns of flu types."
"The most common influenza strain this season is the subclade K, which is a mutated version of H3N2, a subtype of the influenza A virus. According to CDC data, for the week ending December 27, a total of 994 influenza viruses were reported by public health laboratories. Of those, 971 were influenza A and 23 were influenza B. Of the 600 influenza A viruses that were subtyped, 91.2% were influenza A H3N2."
"For the same week, 33,301 patients were admitted to hospitals with influenza. Meanwhile, two influenza-related pediatric deaths were reported. One death occurred the week ending December 20 and one death occurred the week ending December 27. A total of nine influenza-related pediatric deaths have been reported this season. For the week ending December 27, activity levels were considered very high in more than half of the U.S. states. Activity levels were also very high in Puerto Rico."
The CDC weekly surveillance report for the week ending December 27, 2025 was published January 5, 2026 after a holiday delay. The report shows 32.9% of samples tested positive for influenza and positive results have trended upward. The dominant strain is influenza A H3N2 subclade K. Public health laboratories reported 994 influenza viruses that week, 971 influenza A and 23 influenza B; of 600 subtyped influenza A viruses, 91.2% were H3N2. That week 33,301 patients were hospitalized and two pediatric deaths were reported, bringing the season total to nine. Activity levels were very high in over half the U.S. states and in Puerto Rico.
Read at Fast Company
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