The United States is grappling with a significant and escalating influenza season for 2025-2026, with flu activity currently elevated across the nation. Reports indicate that 46 U.S. states and the District of Columbia are experiencing high or very high levels of influenza-like illnesses (ILI). This surge in cases has led to flu-like illness activity reaching some of the highest rates on record in nearly 30 years. According to the latest data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) for the week ending January 3, 2026, there have been an estimated 15 million flu illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations, and 7,400 deaths so far this season. Earlier estimates from late December and early January had placed the death toll around 5,000, as reported by The Economic Times, but this figure has since increased, highlighting the season's growing severity. The dominant strain this season is the Influenza A(H3N2) virus, specifically a new subclade designated as K. This variant emerged after the annual vaccine selection process in February 2025, leading to concerns about vaccine effectiveness, although health experts still urge vaccination to mitigate severe illness. The CDC has classified the 2025-2026 flu season as moderately severe, and activity is expected to remain elevated for several more weeks. Notably, the season has also seen a rise in pediatric deaths, with 17 reported so far, a significant number for this point in the season, marking the highest number of flu-related child deaths recorded since the CDC began mandatory reporting in the 2004-2005 season.