Flu Cases Are Rising Across the U.S. During Peak Holiday Travel Season

Flu activity is soaring across the country, just as millions of Americans are traveling for the holidays. 

Health officials say the current flu surge in the United States is unfolding in a familiar seasonal pattern, but timing and vaccination trends are adding extra pressure to hospitals and emergency rooms.

The 2025 flu season is now showing widespread growth, with flu cases rising or likely to rise in nearly every state. Only a small number of areas are seeing early signs of a decline.

Flu Activity Is High in Multiple States

Several states are reporting high or very high levels of influenza-like illness, based on outpatient visits to healthcare providers tracked by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). 

This includes large population centers in the Northeast, parts of the South, and pockets of the Midwest and West.

New York has been among the hardest hit. The Department of Health is showing a spike in confirmed flu cases in December, making it one of the highest weekly totals the state has ever recorded. 

Emergency room visits tied to flu symptoms have also increased in major cities, including New York.

Other states, like Colorado, Louisiana, and Massachusetts, are reporting an uptick in emergency department visits connected to the flu and other respiratory illnesses.

Holiday Travel Adds to the Spread

The timing of the surge is a concern for public health officials. Heavy travel, indoor gatherings, and crowded transportation hubs are making it easier for respiratory viruses to spread.

This year’s flu cases and holiday travel are overlapping, causing the virus to spread faster than many people expected.

Of course, travel itself doesn’t cause the flu, but close contact, long flights, and packed terminals increase its exposure. 

And, for older adults, young children, and people with underlying conditions, that exposure can carry a higher risk.

A New Strain Is Being Watched Closely

This season has also brought more attention to the H3N2 flu strain, a subtype of influenza A that’s been linked to recent outbreaks in parts of Europe and Asia. 

Health officials say it’s still too early to determine whether this strain is driving higher infection rates or more severe illness in the U.S.

But, current vaccines could offer protection against serious outcomes, even if circulating strains shift slightly. 

The CDC emphasizes that vaccination remains one of the most reliable tools for reducing hospitalizations and complications.

Fewer People Are Getting Vaccinated

Yet, one factor potentially contributing to rising cases is a drop in flu vaccination rates in 2025, compared to last season. 

Federal data shows that, while tens of millions of flu shots have been administered so far, the overall uptake is lower than at the same point last year.

Public health officials also say that disruptions earlier in the fall, including reduced data reporting and access issues, may have affected the vaccination’s momentum. 

The same officials continue to urge eligible adults and children to get vaccinated, even if it’s late in the season.

What This Means Right Now

So far, the flu has already led to millions of illnesses nationwide. Pediatric flu deaths, while still relatively low, have also been reported.

The most important takeaway is awareness because the flu is active, spreading widely, and likely to remain elevated into the new year. 

Small steps, including vaccination, staying home when you’re sick, and basic hygiene, can all make a big difference as we move into the new year.

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