Flu activity remains high as the season intensifies
U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data indicates that influenza activity has stayed elevated during the 2025–26 season, prompting the agency to classify the season as “moderately severe.” A Reuters report cited CDC estimates of at least 11 million illnesses, 120,000 hospitalizations and 5,000 deaths so far, underscoring the strain flu can place on communities even before peak weeks in many regions. ([investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/us-cdc-says-202526-flu-season-moderately-severe-as-cases-hit-11-million-4430595?utm_source=openai))
The same Reuters report noted that activity rose in the final week of December and that flu could remain active for several more weeks. While local timing differs, sustained transmission tends to increase pressure on clinics and emergency departments, especially when other respiratory viruses circulate at the same time. ([investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/us-cdc-says-202526-flu-season-moderately-severe-as-cases-hit-11-million-4430595?utm_source=openai))
What’s driving the surge
Public health experts interviewed by Reuters pointed to several factors that can amplify winter surges: holiday travel and gatherings, lower vaccination uptake, and persistent misinformation that discourages preventive steps. The report also said Influenza A(H3N2) was the dominant strain among subtyped influenza A cases in CDC data. ([investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/us-cdc-says-202526-flu-season-moderately-severe-as-cases-hit-11-million-4430595?utm_source=openai))
When a season is labeled moderately severe, the practical effect for many households is straightforward: higher odds of exposure in schools, workplaces and public indoor spaces, and a greater likelihood that vulnerable groups—older adults, young children, pregnant people, and those with chronic conditions—face complications. ([investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/us-cdc-says-202526-flu-season-moderately-severe-as-cases-hit-11-million-4430595?utm_source=openai))
Steps people can take now
Health authorities continue to recommend seasonal flu vaccination for those who have not yet received it, along with common-sense measures like staying home when sick, improving indoor ventilation where feasible, and promptly contacting a clinician if high-risk individuals develop symptoms. Antiviral treatment can be time-sensitive, so early action matters in preventing severe outcomes. ([investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/us-cdc-says-202526-flu-season-moderately-severe-as-cases-hit-11-million-4430595?utm_source=openai))
With activity projected to continue for weeks, officials expect ongoing fluctuations by region, with some communities experiencing peaks later than others. Monitoring local hospital and public health updates can help families plan around outbreaks and protect those at greatest risk. ([investing.com](https://www.investing.com/news/stock-market-news/us-cdc-says-202526-flu-season-moderately-severe-as-cases-hit-11-million-4430595?utm_source=openai))