News

State health agency reports spike in flu, 'not too late' to get shot

By Lightning Reports, Published: December 11, 2025

The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services is reporting an increase in flu activity and flu-related deaths.

Three flu-related deaths were reported during the past week, bringing the total number of deaths this season to nine. This is a greater number of flu-related deaths so far compared to this time last season. North Carolina reported 542 flu-related deaths for the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season which was the highest number of statewide flu deaths recorded since reporting began in 2009. No flu-related deaths in children have been reported in North Carolina so far this season.

The influenza A (H3N2) virus strain known as subclade K has spread worldwide and is the most frequently reported influenza viruses so far this season in the U.S. Flu vaccines protect against three different types of flu virus: influenza A (H3N2), influenza A (H1N1) and influenza B. While subclade K is different from the influenza A (H3N2) virus represented in the vaccine, preliminary data suggests that the current flu vaccines will still provide protection, particularly against severe illness. The Respiratory Virus Dashboard includes information on flu, COVID-19 and RSV-related activity across North Carolina and is updated weekly.

"Flu is spreading quickly across North Carolina," said State Epidemiologist Zack Moore. "The influenza vaccine remains the most important tool to prevent serious illness or death from flu. It's not too late to protect yourself and your loved ones." 

Influenza activity is surging just as holiday travel and gatherings begin. Vaccines are the best way to prevent serious illness, hospitalization and death from influenza and other viral respiratory infections like COVID-19 and RSV. Vaccinations are especially important for those at higher risk of severe viral respiratory disease, including people 65 years and older, children younger than 5, pregnant women, those with a weakened immune system and those with certain medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, heart disease and obesity.

To help North Carolinians understand how to defend themselves against serious illness from the flu, COVID-19 and RSV, NCDHHS has released a bilingual Respiratory Illness Communications Toolkit for the 2025–2026 respiratory virus season. The toolkit offers ready-to-share fact sheets, social media content, videos, posters, and other materials to help communities, health departments, schools, and employers share respiratory illness information.

Annual vaccination to protect against flu is recommended for all people aged 6 months and older. Flu vaccines are available at pharmacies, private medical offices, some federally qualified health care centers and local health departments. These vaccines can be administered at the same visit as COVID-19 and RSV vaccinations. To find a vaccine near you, use the NCDHHS vaccine finder tool.

Early testing and treatment with an antiviral drug can help prevent respiratory infections from becoming more serious. Treatments work best if started soon after symptoms begin. If you begin to feel sick, contact your doctor to see if you need treatment with a prescription antiviral drug. Treatment for flu and COVID-19 is especially important for people with severe illness and those who are at high risk of serious complications based on their age or medical conditions.

In addition to vaccination, the following precautions should be taken to protect against the spread of respiratory viruses:

• Regularly wash your hands with soap and water. Alcohol-based cleaner or sanitizer can help prevent the spread of respiratory viruses to others but does not work for some other common viruses like norovirus.
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and objects that may be contaminated
• Cover coughs and sneezes with a tissue and then discard the tissue promptly
• Stay home when sick, except to seek medical care or testing, and take steps to avoid spreading infection to others in your home, including staying in a separate room from other household members, if possible
• Using a separate bathroom, if possible
• Avoiding contact with other members of the household and pets
• Not sharing personal household items, like cups, towels and utensils
• Wearing a mask when around other people

For more information on respiratory viruses, including how to access vaccines, testing and treatment in your community, visit MySpot.nc.gov. A respiratory virus surveillance summary that includes information on flu, Covid-19 and RSV-related activity across North Carolina is updated weekly on the North Carolina Respiratory Virus Summary Dashboard.