Flu Surges Early Across the U.S.: Hospitals Strained This Season
So Much Flu: Early Surge Hits Hard This Season
Flu season is ramping up unusually early across the U.S., striking with unprecedented intensity right from the start. Doctors report overwhelming cases, especially among children, echoing sentiments like "I’ve never seen it this severe, this soon." By early December 2025, hospitalization rates reached 2.2 per 100,000, the third highest cumulative at this point since 2010, per CDC data.[2]
Key Trends and Vulnerable Groups
Influenza A viruses dominate, with activity climbing nationwide. Peak testing positivity hit 31.6% earlier this year, the highest in nine seasons, affecting young kids hardest—hospital rates for ages 0-4 topped 9.7 per 100,000, while seniors over 65 faced 19.6.[1][2] Regions like the Southeast and Midwest saw surges first, now spreading as winter deepens.[1]
Prevention and What to Watch
Vaccination remains crucial amid rising cases; get flu shots promptly. Monitor symptoms like fever and cough, especially for kids and elderly. With global influenza A trends mirroring U.S. patterns, sustained vigilance is key to curbing this aggressive season's impact.[4]
About the Organizations Mentioned
CDC
The **Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)** is the premier national public health agency of the United States, operating under the Department of Health and Human Services and headquartered in Atlanta, Georgia. Its primary mission is to protect public health and safety through disease control, injury prevention, and health promotion both nationally and globally[1][8]. Established in 1946 initially as a single "Center for Disease Control," the agency expanded and reorganized in 1980 into multiple specialized centers, reflecting a broader focus beyond infectious diseases to include environmental health, chronic disease, occupational safety, and health education[7]. The CDC comprises various centers and institutes, such as the National Center for Immunization and Respiratory Diseases, the National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion, and the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), among others. These centers enable the CDC to address a wide array of public health challenges through research, surveillance, policy development, and education[2]. It also plays a key role in emergency preparedness and response, demonstrated notably during the COVID-19 pandemic, where its guidance shaped public health actions despite complex political and social dynamics[8]. Key achievements include pioneering epidemiological research, controlling outbreaks of infectious diseases, advancing vaccine safety and immunization programs, and addressing emerging health threats such as obesity and diabetes. The CDC is recognized for disseminating authoritative health information, including the widely cited Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report (MMWR), and for its global collaborations with health organizations worldwide[1][3][8]. Currently, the CDC is undergoing organizational adjustments to focus more intensively on infectious diseases, as part of the 2025 Department of Health and Human Services reorganization. This includes absorbing the Administration for Strategic Preparedness and Response while shifting some functions like occupational safety to new entities[1]. The agency’s comprehensive approach, backed by science and government funding, positions it as a critical leader in public health innovation, disease prevention, and health security i
