Why the Holiday Flu Surge Is Pushing Illness Rates to Record Highs Across the United States?

The current holiday season in the United States has brought a massive spike in influenza cases across the country. According to the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the virus is spreading

fast, with many areas reporting record numbers of infections and hospitalisations. More than 7 million people have gotten sick since December, which, the experts believe, has resulted in at least 81,000 hospitalisations and 3,100 deaths, including eight pediatric deaths. According to doctors, due to geographical spread, there have been high to very high levels of flu-like activity, nearly double the number from last week.

New York is the hardest hit

New York and neighbouring Massachusetts have reported the highest number of flu cases, according to the state Department of Health. Data says around 71,000 cases in the week ending Dec. 20, the highest weekly total since the start of its current tracking system in 2004, have been recorded. Meanwhile, Boston has seen a 114 per cent increase in cases, with kids accounting for the largest share of the new infections. Even in Minnesota, a significant spike in illness has forced at least one school to transition to remote learning just before the winter break.

Influenza type H3N2 is a dominant factor

According to doctors, the specific Influenza A subtype – known as H3N2 – is dominating most of the flu cases, accounting for nearly 92 per cent of all samples that have been recently analysed by the CDC. H3N2 is notorious for causing more severe flu seasons, especially for older adults. The constant mutation of the subtypes has scientists worried, who say the shift allows the virus to bypass some of the defences the body has built up from previous infections. While there are concerns that this year's vaccine might not perfectly match the circulating H3N2 strain, experts emphasise that the shot remains a vital tool. According to scientists from the United Kingdom, with the "mismatch", the vaccine is still highly effective at helping people stay out of the hospital with severe infection, especially children. Unfortunately, vaccine uptake is lower this year, with only about 130 million doses administered so far in the US. Health officials urge those who have not yet been vaccinated to get the shot immediately.

What is the H3N2 flu?

H3N2 flu is a highly contagious influenza. A virus subtype that causes severe seasonal flu, characterised by high fever, severe body aches, cough, fatigue, and potential complications like pneumonia, especially in kids, the elderly, and immunocompromised individuals, spreading via respiratory droplets and requiring hygiene, rest, fluids, and yearly vaccines for prevention and management. H3N2 spreads easily and quickly, and a few key modes of transmission include:

Respiratory droplets

The virus gets released into the air when an infected person coughs, sneezes, or talks. These droplets can be inhaled by people nearby, causing infection.

Direct contact with infected individuals

Shaking hands, hugging, or other close contact with someone who has H3N2 can spread the virus.

Contaminated surfaces

The virus can survive on surfaces such as door handles, mobile phones, keyboards, and shared objects. Touching these surfaces and then your face can cause an infection.

Crowded places

Public transport, markets, offices, or events with large gatherings increase exposure risk due to proximity to infected individuals.

Household transmission

Family members living in the same home as someone infected are at higher risk, especially if precautions like masks or hand hygiene are not followed.