Mandy
Newly released data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reveals a significant jump in influenza cases across the United States, with Kansas among the hardest-hit states.
Between December 20 and December 27, flu infections nationwide rose by 33%, and more than 33,000 people were hospitalized due to complications related to the virus.
Just two weeks earlier, in the week ending December 13, only six states were experiencing very high flu activity.
Flu Activity Expands Rapidly In Just Two Weeks
By the end of December, the situation changed dramatically. Thirty states are now reporting very high flu activity, showing how quickly the virus has spread in a short time.
States currently classified in the very high category include:
Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Florida, Georgia, Idaho, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Virginia.
(Nevada did not provide enough data for the week ending December 27 but had previously reported high activity.)
Kansas Sees Doctor Visits For Flu Nearly Double
Kansas has seen a particularly sharp increase. During the week ending December 20, 3.2% of doctor visits in the state were related to flu symptoms.
Just one week later, that figure climbed to 6.2%, nearly doubling in only seven days.
Health officials have confirmed that at least two flu-related deaths have occurred in Kansas so far this season.
Flu activity typically peaks in February, raising concerns that more severe impacts could still lie ahead.
What Is Driving The Surge? The “Super Flu” Variant
The rapid rise in cases is being linked to a new strain of influenza A known as subclade K, commonly referred to as the “super flu.”
This variant has already caused significant outbreaks in Canada, Japan, and the United Kingdom, where flu seasons often begin earlier.
In the UK, the National Health Service has warned that the surge is placing serious pressure on hospitals. National Medical Director Meghana Pandit described the situation as an “unprecedented wave of super flu.”
Is It Too Late To Get A Flu Shot?
Despite growing concerns, medical experts say vaccination can still make a difference. Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health virologist Andrew Pekosz emphasized that the current timing still allows people to protect themselves.
He explained during a December media briefing that the U.S. flu season is still in its early stages, and getting vaccinated now can help reduce severe illness, hospitalizations, and deaths—especially as vaccination rates remain lower than ideal.
The rapid spread of the super flu variant has pushed flu activity in Kansas and across the U.S. to alarming levels in just a matter of weeks. Hospitalizations are rising, and experts warn the worst of the season may still be ahead.
However, public health specialists stress that it is not too late to act. Getting a flu vaccine, monitoring symptoms, and seeking medical care early can help limit the impact as the flu season continues toward its expected February peak.