Health · Public Health & Disease · 2 hrs ago
US flu cases rise sharply, with seven states at high or very high levels
Flu cases are climbing across the United States, with the CDC saying levels are higher than usual for this time of year.
Through the week ending November 7, the agency estimated that more than 2.6 million people had been sickened, 53% more than the previous week.
Louisiana had very high flu activity, while Washington, Oregon, California, Texas, Tennessee and South Carolina had high activity.
The rise is unusually early: flu levels generally increase in October and peak between December and February, but this season they began rising in August.
The H1N1 strain is behind most cases, and a new mutation may help it evade some existing immunity, but there is no evidence it causes more severe illness.
The CDC says an early season does not necessarily mean a more severe one.
Adults aged 65 and older have had the highest flu-related hospitalization rates this season.
Flu activity is rising across the United States, with seven states reporting high or very high levels.
The CDC estimated more than 2.6 million illnesses through the week ending November 7, a 53 percent increase from the previous week.
Louisiana had very high flu activity, while Washington, Oregon, California, Texas, Tennessee and South Carolina had high activity.
The CDC also estimated more than 36,000 flu-related hospitalizations and 2,100 deaths through that week.
The early rise has been linked to the H1N1 strain, which has acquired a mutation that may help it evade previous immunity; there is no evidence it causes more severe illness.
- Who
- The CDC reported the figures, and people across the United States are affected.
- What
- Flu activity has risen sharply, with seven states at high or very high levels.
- When
- In the update covering the week ending November 7, 2026.
- Where
- Across the United States, including seven states with high or very high activity.
- Why
- The rise has been linked to the H1N1 strain, which has acquired a mutation that may help it evade previous immunity.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
CDC data showed that flu levels had begun to rise.
The CDC estimated more than 2.6 million illnesses and reported high or very high activity in seven states.
- Illnesses
- More than 2.6 million estimated through the week ending November 7
- Weekly increase in illnesses
- 53 percent
- Very high activity
- Louisiana
- High activity
- Washington, Oregon, California, Texas, Tennessee and South Carolina
- Hospitalizations
- More than 36,000 estimated through the week ending November 7
- Deaths
- 2,100 estimated through the week ending November 7
What people are saying
higher than typically observed at this time of year
continue to increase in many parts of the country