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The Latest Breaking News from Influenza

Colorado ranks among the highest states in the country for flu – an emergency room physician describes why the 2025-26 flu season is hitting hard

Colorado is in the midst of a record-breaking flu season. In the week ending Dec. 27, 2025, 831 people were hospitalized with influenza – the most since the state started tracking flu cases two decades ago. Hospitalizations eased the following week to 737 but still remain higher than prior years.

The Conversation

This year’s flu shot may be more effective than researchers thought - even as cases across the US are rising

This is America’s worst flu season in more than two decades with more than 15 million illnesses and 7,400 deaths reported

The Independent UK

Highly transmissible flu strain Super-K infects more than 2,500 Australians

Unseasonably high rate of influenza comes as vaccination rates plummet among those most vulnerable, GPs say

The Guardian - AU

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Viral outbreaks are always on the horizon – here are the viruses an infectious disease expert is watching in 2026

A new year might mean new viral threats.

The Conversation

How a Common Flu Drug and Flu Vaccine Really Affect Kids With Influenza and the Influenza Vaccine Debate

Learn how a common flu drug affects seizure risk in children, and why pairing antivirals with the flu vaccine offers stronger protection from influenza.

Medical Daily

Flu Season's Here—This Dividend-Payer Controls the Shot Market

With flu season in full swing, drugmakers are hoping for a short-term tailwind after a lackluster 2025. Sanofi could be the winning ticket.

MarketBeat

How a potential bird-flu pandemic could play out

The World Health Organization uses the term ‘Pathogen X’ to denote an unknown or unspecified pathogen that could cause a pandemic. Since 2018, the WHO has been steering efforts to detect and contain outbreaks, including ‘Disease X’. And when this disease does infect humans, the impact would depend on how quickly countries…

Newslaundry

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Hospitals Under Pressure as US Flu Cases Explode After Worst Outbreak Since 2018

Influenza cases have risen sharply across the US in December, raising concerns for health authorities after the country recorded its most severe flu season since 2018.

International Business Times UK

US sees spike in flu cases in December, after most severe season since 2018

Not clear whether more people will get the flu this season, but more than 3,100 people have died in last year in US

The Guardian - US

Child death toll rises from flu in US as surging cases have some states breaking grim records

Hospitalizations have nearly doubled from 9,944 to 19,053 from week of December 13 to week of December 20

The Independent UK

"Super flu" surge: What to know about spiking flu cases and the surging "Super K" variant

The flu is back and joins COVID and norovirus as diseases hitting the U.S. this month.

Axios

Flu Season 2026 Warning: How Cold Weather Sickness Accelerates Influenza Spread

Cold weather strengthens flu transmission. Learn why influenza spreads faster in winter and how to protect yourself during flu season 2026 with science-backed insights.

Medical Daily

Super Flu Virus Hits US Ahead of Christmas, Increases Influenza Infections by Almost 500%

As the super flu virus hits the US, the influenza infections increased by almost 500%. Health experts are now concerned.

International Business Times UK

CDC officials urge US flu vaccination after record child deaths last year

Americans told ‘time to get vaccinated is now’ as concerning mutation of influenza virus circulates in US

The Guardian - US

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The Independent UK

Hundreds of snow geese found dead at Pennsylvania quarry amid suspected bird flu outbreak

Avian influenza mainly affects birds, but in November, an older adult in Washington with backyard poultry became the first confirmed human case of the H5N5 strain

The Guardian - UK

New flu strain putting severe pressure on healthcare across Europe, says WHO

At least 27 of 38 countries in WHO’s European region are reporting high or very high influenza activity, body says

International Business Times UK

WHO Warns New Influenza Variant Linked to Severe Disease Surge, Symptoms to Watch Out For

WHO warns a new influenza variant linked to severe disease is spreading globally, urging vaccination and awareness of symptoms.

International Business Times UK

Influenza A Outbreak: Three Children Die as Experts Warn of Severe Season

Three children have died from Influenza A in Canada, prompting urgent warnings from doctors. Learn why experts call this outbreak 'unusual' and 'intense'.

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The Guardian - UK

Don’t call it a ‘super flu’ – but the NHS is right to be worried this winter

An early flu season, a new variant and poor takeup of vaccines leave the already vulnerable health service in a dangerous position, says Prof Devi Sridhar, chair of global public health at the University of Edinburgh

The Conversation

What is super flu? And other questions answered

The NHS is facing severe pressure this winter as flu cases surge earlier than usual, with some calling it “super flu”. Here’s what you need to know about this year’s flu season and how to protect yourself.

The Guardian - UK

As NHS braces for record flu cases, is the strain active in continental Europe too?

Mutations thought to be spreading flu faster and earlier, with vaccines less effective than hoped

Evening Standard

I survived London's 'super flu' wave — but it wasn't pretty

Exhausted, achy and maybe even dizzy? You too may have come down with the ‘drifted’ influenza strain that took me out for days

Medical Daily

Why Seasonal Disease Spread Follows Predictable Epidemiology Cycles (And How to Spot the Next Outbreak)

Discover why seasonal disease spread follows predictable epidemiology cycles, from flu winters to dengue monsoons. Uncover patterns, causes, and prediction strategies for smarter outbreak prevention.

International Business Times UK

Is the H3N2 Flu Strain Setting Up Patients for COVID: Researchers Document Unusual Double Infection

Doctors have documented a rare case of a health worker catching H3N2 flu and then COVID-19 11 days later, just as H3N2 becomes the dominant strain this winter. Here's what that 'double hit' really means — and why experts say flu and COVID vaccines still matter.

The Conversation

Flu season has started early this year – a new variant might be to blame

Every winter, respiratory viruses, especially influenza, SARS-CoV-2 and RSV, put huge pressure on healthcare systems throughout Europe. In a typical season, flu causes up to 50 million symptomatic cases, and anywhere from 15,000 to 70,000 deaths per year on the continent.

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