Summary (tl;dr)

Flu deaths are trending as the United States experiences an elevated and severe 2025-2026 flu season, with significant numbers of illnesses, hospitalizations, and deaths reported, particularly affecting children, despite a recent slight decline in overall activity.

Essential Background

The flu season typically runs during the fall and winter months, with peak activity often occurring between December and February. The severity of a flu season can vary significantly based on circulating viruses and vaccination rates. The 2024-2025 flu season in the U.S. saw high influenza activity, setting a precedent for concerns about the current season. This season, a new strain of influenza A(H3N2) virus, known as subclade K, has emerged and is responsible for a large proportion of cases. This particular subclade has been characterized as "antigenically drifted," meaning it differs from the strain included in this season's vaccine, potentially impacting vaccine effectiveness.

The Full Story

Seasonal influenza activity remains elevated nationally, although the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a slight decrease or stabilization in overall activity for two consecutive weeks ending January 10, 2026. Despite this recent decline in cases and hospitalizations, the current flu season has already been notably severe. The CDC estimates that there have been at least 18 million influenza illnesses, 230,000 hospitalizations, and 9,300 deaths so far this season across the United States. Among these, a total of 32 influenza-associated pediatric deaths have been reported. Influenza A(H3N2) viruses, specifically the subclade K, are the most frequently reported strains circulating. Health officials caution that the decrease in activity could be influenced by holiday reporting patterns and that a second surge often occurs after the winter holidays. States like North Carolina have reported a significant increase in flu-related deaths, bringing their total to 134, including three pediatric deaths. Virginia and Colorado have also reported their first and second pediatric flu deaths of the season, respectively.

Why It Matters

The trending concern over flu deaths highlights the significant public health impact of the ongoing influenza season. The high number of illnesses and hospitalizations strains healthcare systems, with some facilities reportedly experiencing capacity restraints. The elevated risk for children, with a high peak weekly hospitalization rate observed since the 2010-2011 season and a substantial number of pediatric deaths, underscores the vulnerability of this population. The fact that 90% of reported pediatric deaths occurred in unvaccinated children further emphasizes the critical importance of flu vaccination in preventing severe outcomes, hospitalization, and death, even in seasons where vaccine effectiveness against infection may be reduced due to circulating drifted strains. Public health officials continue to urge everyone six months and older to get vaccinated and practice preventative measures to mitigate the spread and severity of the flu.

Geographic Location

• North Carolina, United States (significant increase in flu-related deaths, including pediatric deaths)
• Eastern Region, Virginia, United States (first pediatric flu death of the 2025-2026 season)
• Metro Denver, Colorado, United States (first pediatric flu death of the season)
• Outside Denver Metro Area, Colorado, United States (second pediatric flu death of the season)