All information in this post was compiled from the CDC.GOV “Flu View” website.
Information includes up to January 10, 2026.
Seasonal influenza activity remains elevated nationally, but influenza activity has decreased or remained stable for two consecutive weeks. CDC will continue to monitor for a second period of increased influenza activity that often occurs after the winter holidays.
Key Points Seasonal influenza activity remains elevated nationally, but influenza activity has decreased or remained stable for two consecutive weeks. CDC will continue to monitor for a second period of increased influenza activity that often occurs after the winter holidays.
Influenza A(H3N2) viruses are the most frequently reported influenza viruses so far this season.
Among 547 influenza A(H3N2) viruses collected since September 28, 2025, that underwent additional genetic characterization at CDC, 90.9% belonged to subclade K.
The weekly influenza-associated hospitalization rate overall in FluSurv-Net peaked during Week 52 at 12.6 per 100,000 population. This is the second highest peak weekly rate overall since the 2010-2011 season. Notably, children younger than 18 years have the highest peak weekly hospitalization rate observed since the 2010-2011 season.
Fifteen influenza-associated pediatric deaths occurring in the 2025-2026 season were reported to CDC this week, bringing the season total to 32 reported influenza-related pediatric deaths.
Among children who were eligible for influenza vaccination and with known vaccine status, 90% of reported pediatric deaths this season have occurred in children who were not fully vaccinated against influenza.
CDC's in-season severity assessment framework classified the season as moderate across all ages. CDC also assesses severity by three age groups: pediatric (0-17 years), adult (18-64 years), and older adults (≥65 years). At this point in the season, the pediatric age group is classified as having high severity, while both the adult and older adult age groups are classified as having moderate severity. These assessments are conducted each week during the season, and the season's severity assessment can change if activity should increase again.
CDC estimates that there have been at least 18,000,000 illnesses, 230,000 hospitalizations, and 9,300 deaths from flu so far this season. Influenza (flu) vaccination has been shown to reduce the risk of flu and its potentially serious complications. There is still time to get vaccinated against flu this season. Approximately 130 million doses of influenza vaccine have been distributed in the United States this season.
There are prescription flu antiviral drugs that can treat flu illness; those should be started as early as possible and are especially important for patients at higher risk for flu-related complications.1
Influenza viruses are among several viruses contributing to respiratory disease activity. CDC provides updated, integrated information about COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) activity on a weekly basis.
No new avian influenza A(H5) infections were reported to CDC this week. To date, person-to-person transmission of influenza A(H5) viruses has not been identified in the United States.
