Respiratory Virus Insights

Stay informed with the latest respiratory illness activity levels from CDC data. Updated weekly.

Last Updated: January 31, 2026

Current Activity Levels

National respiratory virus surveillance data for the 2025-2026 season.

COVID-19

Moderate Activity

* Activity remains low nationally but increasing in several states
* Wastewater surveillance shows upticks in viral circulation
* Growing in 11 states, declining in 11 states
* Peak typically occurs late December to early January

Influenza

High Activity

* 39,945 hospital admissions this week (up from 33,301)
* H3N2 strain predominant this season
* 44 pediatric deaths reported (90% unvaccinated)
* Flu seasons typically peak December-February

RSV

Elevated Activity

* Growing or likely growing in 22 states
* ED visits and hospitalizations increasing for ages 0-4
* Declining in 5 states, stable in 22 states
* National peak typically late December to early January

Data from CDC: CDC Respiratory Virus Activity & CDC FluView

2025-2026 Season Outlook

CDC continues to expect that the U.S. fall and winter respiratory disease season will likely have a similar number of combined peak hospitalizations due to COVID-19, influenza, and RSV compared to last season.

COVID-19 Peak

Late December - Early January

Flu Peak

December - February (varies)

RSV Peak

Late December - Early January

Vaccination Note: Vaccination coverage for both influenza and RSV remain "suboptimal" according to the CDC. Among children who were eligible for influenza vaccination, approximately 90% of reported pediatric deaths this season occurred in children who were not fully vaccinated.