If the past few weeks have delivered more coughing fits and body aches than comfort and joy, congrats—you’re officially one of us. A so-called “super flu” has been spreading rapidly across the U.S., and New York is getting hit especially hard.
In fact, New York State just logged the most flu cases ever recorded in a single week, and health officials say activity is now at its highest level in more than a decade–with no sign of slowing down anytime soon.
New York Is Seeing Record-Breaking Flu Numbers
The New York State Department of Health reported 71,123 new flu cases for the seven days ending Saturday, December 20–the highest weekly total since influenza became a reportable illness in 2004.
Hospitalizations are surging, too. Influenza-related hospital admissions reached 4,546 for the week ending December 27–more recorded in a single week than ever seen in New York. Symptoms include fever or chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, muscle or body aches, headache, tiredness, vomiting, and diarrhea.
ER Visits Are Surpassing Even “High Severity” Flu Seasons
Additional data from NYC’s syndromic surveillance system–which tracks every emergency room visit–shows 9,857 ER visits for “influenza-like illness” last week alone.
That number is higher than during the worst weeks of the 2017-18 or 2024-25 flu seasons, both of which were classified as “high severity” by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
So far this season, New York has reported 189,312 positive flu cases. State Health Commissioner Dr. James McDonald said officials are “closely reviewing hospital bed capacity data” to monitor hospitalization trends and guide any necessary response.
It’s also worth noting that increased laboratory testing and reporting in recent years means more cases are being captured than in the past–though officials stress that the surge is still very real.
“It Is Gonna Get Worse Before It Gets Better”
Earlier this month, health officials declared influenza “prevalent” across New York State, triggering mask requirements for unvaccinated health care workers in patient-facing settings.
While it’s still too early to pinpoint when the season will peak, McDonald offered a blunt warning: “It is gonna get worse before it gets better.”
Flu season typically peaks in January.
What’s Driving This Year’s ‘Super Flu?’
Health officials say H3N2 is the dominant strain currently circulating in NYC.
Unfortunately, this strain has picked up mutations that may help it evade the body’s immune defenses–meaning this year’s flu shot may be less effective than in some previous seasons.
That said, data suggests vaccinated individuals are still less likely to be hospitalized if they do get infected, making the shot worthwhile–especially for higher-risk groups.
How To Protect Yourself As Flu Activity Surges
With flu cases climbing, health officials say New Yorkers can still take simple steps to protect themselves and others:
- Get vaccinated (officials say it’s not too late)
- Stay home when you’re sick
- Avoid close contact with sick people
- Wear a mask, especially in crowded indoor spaces
- Wash hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth with unwashed hands
- Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue
- Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces
For the latest updates and guidance, you can visit the New York State Department of Health’s flu website.