Health / Public Health
CDC says flu activity rising earlier than usual, led by H1N1
Seasonal flu activity is increasing in many parts of the U.S. and is higher than typical for early November, the CDC said in its Nov. 6 FluView report.
Source-checked story: attributed primary-source and published reporting; no on-location reporting.
Seasonal flu activity is increasing in many parts of the country and is higher than typically observed at this time of year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Nov. 6 in its weekly influenza surveillance report.
The CDC estimates there have been at least 1.7 million flu illnesses, 25,000 hospitalizations and 1,400 deaths so far this season. In the week ending Oct. 31, 502 of 513 influenza viruses reported by public health laboratories were influenza A, and 97.7% of subtyped influenza A viruses were A(H1N1)pdm09, the agency said. Two pediatric flu deaths from the 2026-27 season were reported during the week, bringing the season total to three.
The agency cautioned that “an earlier increase in activity does not necessarily lead to a higher seasonal peak or greater overall severity,” and its preliminary assessment classifies the season’s severity so far as low across all age groups. The CDC said circulating H1N1 viruses show more genetic diversity than it has seen before and that it is too early to know whether that will affect vaccine effectiveness. Two confirmed human cases of avian influenza A(H5), including one death, were also reported this week; the agency said human-to-human spread of H5 bird flu has not been identified in the U.S.
CDC forecasts predict likely national increases in flu hospital admissions and emergency department visits through the week ending Nov. 21. The agency recommends annual flu vaccination for everyone 6 months and older and said antiviral drugs should be started as early as possible, especially for people at higher risk of complications.
What we know / what we don't
What we know
- Seasonal flu activity is increasing in many parts of the U.S. and is higher than typical for early November, the CDC said in its Nov. 6 FluView report.
What we don't know
- All CDC data are preliminary and may change as more reports are received.
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