The share of U.S. deaths attributed to flu in the last week of October was higher than in any comparable week of the past decade, according to preliminary CDC data.
In the week ending Oct. 31, 0.3% of all deaths were due to flu, according to the agency’s latest FluView report. That share held stable from the week before but has trended upward over the past seven weeks. It is nearly double the next-highest weekly figure of the past 10 seasons (0.16% in 2022-23) and well above the 0.02% to 0.08% recorded in most other recent seasons.
The early climb tracks with broader flu activity, which the CDC said is higher than typically seen this time of year. Still, the agency cautioned that an earlier rise does not necessarily mean a higher peak or a more severe season, and its preliminary assessment rates the season’s severity as low across all age groups so far.
Early-season deaths also typically make up a small share of total seasonal mortality, as flu deaths generally climb through January and February.
The CDC estimates at least 1,400 flu deaths nationwide so far this season, along with 1.7 million illnesses and 25,000 hospitalizations. Three pediatric flu deaths have been reported for the 2026-27 season.
Here is how current flu death figures compare to past seasons, based on CDC data.
Note: A death estimate is not available for the 2020-21 season due to minimal flu activity amid the pandemic, the CDC said.
Season | Percentage of flu deaths in week 43 | Total flu deaths reported in week 43 | Cumulative seasonal death estimates |
| 2026-2027* | .31 | 82 | 1,400 deaths (As of Oct. 31) |
| 2025-2026* | .04 | 24 | 24,000 to 81,000 |
| 2024-2025* | .04 | 24 | 45,000 |
| 2023-2024* | .08 | 47 | 26,000 |
| 2022-2023 | .16 | 96 | 25,000 |
| 2021-2022 | .02 | 14 | 6,300 |
| 2020-2021 | .02 | 15 | N/A |
| 2019-2020 | .06 | 30 | 26,000 |
| 2018-2019 | .04 | 24 | 32,000 |
| 2017-2018 | .04 | 23 | 52,000 |
| 2016-2017 | .03 | 17 | 38,000 |
*Cumulative flu death estimates for these seasons are preliminary.
See how flu cases compare to past seasons here and how admissions compare here.
