Flu activity in the United States remains high as the country faces its peak flu season. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), “seasonal influenza activity remains elevated and continues to increase across the country.”
State-level flu cases vary, and the CDC updates its map each week, showing flu activity levels across the U.S. The color-coded map, released for the week ending February 8, 2025, classifies each state’s flu activity as minimal, moderate, high, or very high.
The states with the highest flu activity currently include New York City, New Hampshire, Massachusetts, New Jersey, Maryland, Virginia, Ohio, Michigan, South Carolina, Tennessee, Nebraska, Kansas, New Mexico, Oregon, and Washington.
The next group of states experiencing high flu levels includes Maine, Washington D.C., North Carolina, Georgia, Indiana, Arkansas, Louisiana, Oklahoma, and Texas. Following these, New York State, Kentucky, Illinois, Wisconsin, Iowa, Missouri, Colorado, Idaho, California, Mississippi, Alabama, and Connecticut have been marked as “very high” flu activity areas.
Other states with high flu levels include Wyoming, Arizona, Nevada, South Dakota, Florida, West Virginia, Pennsylvania, and Minnesota. North Dakota and Utah have moderate activity, while Montana, Hawaii, and Alaska are experiencing low flu activity.
Anita Patel, PharmD, and Vice President of Pharmacy Health Services at Walgreens, explained that flu activity typically starts in southern states. Factors like weather patterns, travel habits, and population density contribute to ideal conditions for flu spread. Despite flu season peaking during colder months, the spread is worsened by increased indoor activity in densely populated regions, Patel added.
Patel noted that some southern states, such as Florida, Alabama, and Mississippi, have begun recovering from early outbreaks. Meanwhile, the northern and western regions are now seeing their peak flu levels. Studies show that colder and drier air helps the flu virus spread more effectively, as people tend to stay indoors, increasing the risk of transmission.
Patel also pointed out that flu vaccination rates are lower this year, which may contribute to the intensity of the flu season. The flu vaccine can reduce the severity of symptoms, even if people still get sick. The CDC’s data shows a rise in people seeking medical care, which suggests that more people are being affected this season.
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