January 8, 2026- Flu activity is increasing across the United States this respiratory season, in some cases reaching record highs, according to new Centers for Disease Control and Prevention data. In the CDC’s latest Influenza Surveillance Report, published on Dec. 30, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported “high” or “very high” levels of flu activity in 32 states. From the week before, healthcare providers saw a 6% uptick in patients with respiratory illnesses. According to USA Today, the newest influenza strain, Subclade K (or A(H3N2), J.2.4.1), is a mutation of influenza A.