Flu Surges Early Across the South and West

WHO:

KSL News - Dr. Fred Lopez, an infectious diseases specialist at the LSU Health Sciences Center in New Orleans, said flu activity was increasing and urged people who had not been vaccinated to get vaccinated.

The Boston Globe - Lopez said, “If you haven’t been vaccinated, you should get vaccinated now.”

KSL News - Dr. Anna Durbin of Johns Hopkins University said the flu hospitalization rate in mid-October was unusually high for that point in autumn.

The Boston Globe - Dr. Nicole Iovine, an infectious disease specialist affiliated with the University of Florida, said vaccination was especially important as people prepared to gather for the holidays.

KSL News - Andrew Pekosz, a Johns Hopkins University immunology expert, said early data suggested the vaccine “can recognize” the circulating virus and that “right now there is no cause for concern.”

The Boston Globe - The CDC, LSU Health Sciences Center, Johns Hopkins University, and the University of Florida were among the organizations represented by cited officials and experts.

WHAT:

KSL News - The U.S. flu season began unusually early and was quickly intensifying. Seven states reported high flu activity, up from two states the prior week; more than 3% of doctors’ office visits were for flu-like illness.

The Boston Globe - The CDC estimated that flu had caused at least 2.6 million illnesses, 36,000 hospitalizations, and 2,100 deaths so far that season.

KSL News - Flu activity early in the season was higher than typically seen at that point, but the CDC said it was unclear whether the season would ultimately be worse than others.

The Boston Globe - The flu hospitalization rate in mid-October was the highest recorded that early in autumn in more than 15 years.

KSL News - Most illnesses reported that fall were attributed to a mutated version of influenza A H1N1. The mutations could help the virus evade immune defenses, but available data suggested the current vaccine could recognize and work against it.

The Boston Globe - Health officials said they would need months to determine the vaccine’s effectiveness.

WHERE:

KSL News - The surge began in the South and West. States reporting high activity were California, Louisiana, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington; Louisiana had the worst activity so far.

The Boston Globe - Lopez said Louisiana is often among the first states to experience flu surges.

WHY:

KSL News - Lopez said Louisiana’s early surges were partly associated with low vaccination rates, high poverty rates, and barriers to healthcare access.

The Boston Globe - Doctors expected flu and other respiratory viruses to spread faster as people traveled and gathered for Thanksgiving.

HOW:

KSL News - Lopez said people should still get vaccinated after having a flu infection because the vaccine protects against three flu-virus types and multiple strains can circulate in one season. He advised against vaccination while someone has significant symptoms.

The Boston Globe - The previous winter’s flu season peaked in late December, was described by New York City health officials as the most intense in 20 years, and was largely over by late March. The CDC later estimated at least 32 million illnesses, 380,000 hospitalizations, and 24,000 deaths that season.

(UPDATED November 14, 2026 17:58 UTC)

Flu is surging unusually early, with Louisiana among the hardest-hit states and seven states reporting high activity. Experts urge vaccination as hospitalizations climb. Early evidence suggests the vaccine can recognize the circulating virus, though effectiveness will take months to assess.