Flu Season Update: Pediatric Deaths Rise, Activity Slowly Declining

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reports a concerning rise in pediatric influenza deaths, with 11 deaths reported for the second consecutive week. While overall flu activity remains elevated across the United States, several key indicators suggest a gradual decline in cases. This season is classified as “high severity” for children and “moderate severity” for adults and older adults.

Current Flu Activity and Impact

As of the week ending March 7, 2026, the CDC’s FluView report indicates:

• Test Positivity: 15.3%, a slight decrease from 15.8% the previous week.
• Healthcare Visits: 3.7% of visits were for respiratory illness, down from 3.9%.
• Hospitalizations: 9,130 people were hospitalized with the flu, compared to 10,763 the prior week.
• Flu Deaths (as % of all deaths): Decreased to 0.5% from 0.7%.
• Cumulative Hospitalization Rate: The cumulative flu hospitalization rate is the third highest since the 2010-11 flu season. Children have the second-highest cumulative hospitalization rate for their age group since 2010-11.

To date this season, the CDC estimates at least 27 million flu infections, 350,000 hospitalizations, and 22,000 deaths have occurred since the fall. A particularly sobering statistic is that 101 children have died from the flu this season, and approximately 85% of these children were unvaccinated.

Dominant Flu Strain and Genetic Analysis

Influenza A viruses continue to be the dominant strain circulating, but are showing signs of decline. Influenza B activity varies by region. Genetic testing of 1,667 influenza A viruses since September 2025 revealed that 92.5% were the A(H3N2) subclade K.

Vulnerability and Prevention

Children younger than 5 years old—especially those younger than 2—and children of any age with certain chronic health conditions, such as asthma and diabetes, are at higher risk of developing serious flu-related complications. Annual flu vaccination is the best protection against the flu and its complications. Vaccination is recommended for everyone 6 months and older each year.

Caregivers of young children should also be vaccinated to help protect those too young to be vaccinated themselves. Other preventative measures, such as frequent handwashing and covering coughs and sneezes, are also crucial in slowing the spread of the virus.

Other Respiratory Viruses

The CDC also reports that respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) season may extend into April in many areas of the United States, as activity started later than expected. Infants and children younger than 4 years have the highest rates of emergency department visits and hospitalizations related to RSV. Currently, emergency department visits for flu and RSV are moderate, while visits for COVID-19 are very low and declining.

Wastewater surveillance indicates high levels of influenza A and B, RSV, and human metapneumovirus, with moderate levels of SARS-CoV-2.