US EditionFlu cases rise across US as holiday travel fuels spread
At least 7.5 million flu illnesses and 81,000 hospitalizations reported this season as mutated A(H3N2) subclade K spreads amid holiday travel and low vaccination rates.
- Holiday travel and gatherings have pushed flu infections to rise across the United States, with more than 19,000 patients admitted in the week ended Dec 20, up about 10,000 from the prior week.
- Public health experts say holiday travel, low vaccination rates and misinformation contribute to flu spikes, with 89.5% of 275 viruses since September 28, 2025, being subclade K, a variant of influenza A.
- Estimates released on Tuesday showed the 2025-26 flu season has at least 7.5 million illnesses, 81,000 hospitalizations, 3,100 deaths, and eight pediatric deaths after five last week.
- In New Jersey, some hospitals including Englewood Hospital and Hackensack Meridian system reinstated mandatory masking as nearly 500 people were hospitalized with respiratory illnesses by Dec. 20.
- Health officials say the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention expects flu activity to continue for several weeks and urge anyone six months and older to get vaccinated despite a partial vaccine mismatch.
22 Articles
22 Articles
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