Wire reporting: (AP, via KSL)

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention said Friday that U.S. seasonal influenza activity continued to rise in many regions during the week ending Nov. 7, 2026, and was higher than is typically seen at this point in the year⁴.

Nationally, 3.2% of outpatient visits reported through ILINet were for influenza-like illness, above the 2.9% national baseline, CDC said⁴. Associated Press accounts carried by KSL and The Seattle Times said seven states had high flu activity that week, up from two the week before, and listed California, Louisiana, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Washington^1,2,3.

CDC estimated at least 2.6 million flu illnesses, 36,000 hospitalizations and 2,100 deaths so far this season^4,1. Its preliminary in-season severity assessment still classified activity as low across age groups, while noting that classification can change as activity increases⁴. Five pediatric flu deaths have been reported this season, CDC said⁴.

Among viruses reported by public health laboratories in Week 44, 670 of 680 were influenza A; of subtyped influenza A viruses, 98.9% were A(H1N1)pdm09⁴. CDC said it is too early to know which viruses will predominate or whether vaccine effectiveness will be affected, and it still recommends vaccination for people 6 months and older who have not yet been vaccinated⁴. FluSight forecasts pointed to a likely national increase in flu hospital admissions and emergency-department visits through the week ending Nov. 28⁴.

Not medical advice.