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FLORIDA - Florida is now classified in the highest influenza activity tier by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention as the 2025 to 2026 flu season accelerates earlier and more aggressively than usual.
According to the CDC’s latest FluView surveillance report, Florida is among more than 30 states reporting very high levels of influenza activity.
The designation is based on a combination of factors, including rising outpatient visits for flu-like illness, increased laboratory-confirmed cases, and growing hospital admissions related to influenza complications.
Health officials say the surge is being driven largely by a dominant strain of influenza A H3N2, sometimes referred to in public reporting as a super variant.
While the CDC does not officially label strains as super variants, the virus circulating this season has shown genetic changes that may allow it to spread more efficiently.
Early data also suggests the current flu vaccine offers reduced protection against infection from this strain, though it still lowers the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death.
Nationwide, the CDC estimates millions of flu illnesses have already occurred this season, with tens of thousands of hospitalizations and several thousand deaths reported.
Florida health systems have seen parallel increases, particularly among older adults, young children, and people with underlying medical conditions.
Public health officials note that flu season typically peaks later in winter, but this year’s early spike has raised concerns about sustained pressure on hospitals.
The CDC continues to recommend flu vaccination for anyone six months and older, along with standard prevention measures such as staying home when sick and seeking early treatment if symptoms worsen.