By — Mike Stobbe, Associated Press Mike Stobbe, Associated Press Leave your feedback Share Copy URL https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/the-u-s-flu-season-is-off-to-a-very-early-start-its-hitting-the-south-and-west-now Email Facebook Twitter LinkedIn Pinterest Tumblr Share on Facebook Share on Twitter The U.S. flu season is off to a very early start. It's hitting the South and West now Health Nov 14, 2026 4:02 PM EST NEW YORK (AP) — The U.S. flu season is off to a very early start, and it's quickly intensifying. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday posted its latest update, reporting that seven states were reporting high flu activity last week, up from two states the week before. The CDC also said that more than 3% of doctors' office visits last week were for flu-like illness, signaling that flu season is really underway. Louisiana is seeing the worst of it so far. READ MORE: Top U.S. doctors offer updated flu and COVID vaccine recommendations, aiming to ease confusion Flu season "is taking off and it's taking off in a direction that's only likely to increase in the next month or two," said Dr. Fred…
The U.S. flu season is off to a very early start. It's hitting the South and West now
In short
Seven states across the South and West have already reached high activity levels, with Louisiana experiencing the country's most intense outbreak. Federal health data attributes at least 2.6 million illnesses and 2,100 deaths to the current wave so far. Medical experts caution that low vaccination rates and holiday gatherings could compound the strain on regional healthcare facilities. People who have recently recovered from an illness are still advised to receive their shots because the vaccine protects against three separate virus strains.
Key points
- Early laboratory data indicates that the current vaccine successfully targets the mutated…: Early laboratory data indicates that the current vaccine successfully targets the mutated A H1N1 virus driving the surge.
- Infectious disease experts advise previously infected individuals to get vaccinated becau…: Infectious disease experts advise previously infected individuals to get vaccinated because the immunization guards against three distinct strains.
- Health officials warn that flu transmission is projected to escalate rapidly over the nex…: Health officials warn that flu transmission is projected to escalate rapidly over the next month or two due to Thanksgiving gatherings.