ATLANTA (AP) — A sharp increase in respiratory illnesses has forced school closures and event cancellations across the United States, with more than a dozen states now reporting high or very high levels of flu, RSV, and other viral activity.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports Oregon and Louisiana are experiencing “very high” levels of respiratory illness, while 12 states and Washington, D.C. show “high” activity levels for the week ending December 14. The number of affected states has doubled from the previous week.
“Flu has been increasing, but just this last week has exploded,” said Dr. William Schaffner, infectious diseases expert at Vanderbilt University in Tennessee.
In Alabama, Sugar Creek Elementary School closed for three days after a flu outbreak, postponing holiday events. Similar disruptions occurred in other communities, with Christmas markets and festivities canceled due to vendor illnesses.
National statistics show:
- 9% increase in positive flu tests
- 9,000 new hospitalizations this week
- Two additional flu deaths
- Estimated 2 million illnesses this season
- 23,000 total hospitalizations
- 1,000 deaths
RSV cases are also surging, with CDC wastewater monitoring showing a 160% increase between November 30 and December 14. Seven states report “very high” RSV activity levels.
Health officials partially attribute the surge to low vaccination rates, with only 41% of both adults and children having received flu shots as of December 7.
Some hospitals have reinstated mask requirements to curb transmission. The CDC estimates RSV causes approximately 2.1 million outpatient visits annually among children under five, though this likely understates actual cases.
