Flu activity increased nationwide after three weeks of decline, driven in part by rising influenza B activity, according to the CDC’s latest Fluview report.
Although flu-related hospital admissions decreased in the week ending Jan. 24, emergency department visits, outpatient visits and test positivity rates all rose.
Influenza A — particularly the H3N2 strain — has been the leading driver of flu activity so far this season. While influenza A cases have remained stable in recent weeks, influenza B activity is now increasing nationally, according to the CDC.
By several measures, the 2025–26 flu season is among the most severe seen in more than a decade. CDC has classified the season as moderate overall, though severity has been higher among children. Notably, CDC said children under 18 have experienced the highest peak weekly hospitalization rate observed since the 2010–11 season.
The season’s early and intense onset has added strain to hospitals nationwide already facing capacity challenges, particularly in emergency departments and pediatric units.
Five things to know:
1. Nearly 15,080 people have been admitted to hospitals for the flu during the week ending Jan. 24. The weekly flu hospitalization rate was 2.4 per 100,000, though this figure includes reporting delays and is likely closer to 3.1 to 4.4, according to the CDC. This rate has consistently declined throughout January after peaking at 12.8 in late December — the second-highest rate seen since the 2010-11 season. The cumulative hospitalization rate observed in the week ending Jan. 24 was 59.5 per 100,000 — also the highest since the 2010-11 season.
2. The percentage of outpatient visits for respiratory illness was 4.7% in the week ending Jan. 24, up slightly from 4.4% the week prior.
3. The test positivity rate for flu was 18%, marking a slight uptick from 17.2% the previous week.
4. The percentage of flu-related deaths decreased slightly week-over-week. The CDC also confirmed eight new pediatric deaths in the week ending Jan. 24, bringing the season’s total to 52.
5. At least 20 million illnesses, 270,000 hospitalizations and 11,000 flu deaths have occurred so far this season, the CDC estimates.
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