Flu cases in the United States have reached the highest level ever recorded, according to new data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
Health officials say flu activity is still increasing across the country, and more people are being admitted to hospitals. About 8% of all doctor visits are now for flu-like illness, which is higher than any level recorded since 1997. Flu-like illness means having a fever along with a cough or sore throat.
Children Are Being Hit the Hardest
Many of these doctor visits involve children and young people. About 35% of visits for breathing-related illness were from people under 24 years old. Children under age 5 accounted for around 20% of visits, showing that young children are especially affected this flu season.
Hospitalizations and Deaths Are Rising
The number of people hospitalized with the flu is rising quickly. The CDC estimates that about 120,000 people have been hospitalized so far this season, nearly 50% more than the previous week.
So far, at least 11 million people have gotten sick with the flu, and around 5,000 people have died, including at least nine children.
New York Reports Record Numbers
New York State has been one of the hardest-hit areas. Health officials reported the highest number of flu hospitalizations ever recorded in a single week, along with a record number of flu cases.
For the week ending December 20, the state reported 72,133 flu infections.
“This is really quite a severe flu season right now,” said James McDonald, New York State’s health commissioner, in an interview with Good Morning America.
A New Flu Virus Is Spreading
Health experts say most cases this season are linked to a new strain of influenza A (H3N2), known as subclade K. CDC testing shows that almost all flu samples since late September were influenza A, and about 90% were H3N2.
This strain first spread widely in other countries, including Canada, Japan, and the United Kingdom, during the summer. It is now spreading rapidly in the United States.
More Illnesses Expected
Experts warn that flu cases are likely to keep rising in the coming weeks, and the worst part of the season may still be ahead. At the same time, COVID-19 and RSV are also spreading, increasing the number of people with breathing problems and adding pressure to hospitals.
Vaccination Rates Remain Low
The CDC recommends that everyone aged 6 months and older get a flu shot, except in rare cases. The flu vaccine helps prevent millions of illnesses and doctor visits every year and is especially important for people at higher risk of severe illness.
However, vaccination rates have not improved much. As of December 13, about 42% of adults and 42% of children had received a flu shot this season.
Children at Serious Risk
Last flu season, 289 children died from the flu, the highest number since tracking began in 2004. Almost all of those children were not vaccinated.
During the current 2024–2025 flu season, another child death was reported this week, setting a new record.
Final Advice
Health officials continue to urge people to get vaccinated, watch for flu symptoms, and seek medical care early if symptoms become severe, as flu cases continue to rise nationwide.
