New York flu season statistics

Reference TimelineLast updated APR 11
SUMMARY

Sixteen pediatric flu deaths have been reported in New York City for the 2025-2026 flu season as of April 4, 2026. As of April 4, 2026, flu cases in New York City decreased, with 1.06% of emergency department visits diagnosed with flu, and Influenza B accounted for 89% of positive flu cases. New York State reported 11,848 new flu cases across all 62 counties and 13 influenza-associated pediatric deaths for the week ending March 28, 2026. This follows a record-breaking season with over 146,000 flu cases reported in New York City by February 12, 2026, and a peak of 71,123 cases statewide in the week ending December 20, 2025, driven by a mutated Influenza A H3N2 strain and a subsequent second wave of Influenza B.

Timeline

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April 2026 — 2 developments

  1. As of April 4, 2026, sixteen pediatric flu deaths have been reported for the season in New York City.

    As of April 4, 2026, sixteen pediatric flu deaths have been reported for the season in New York City. For the week ending April 4, 2026, influenza B accounted for 89% of positive flu cases in New York City, with influenza A following.

  2. For the week ending April 4, 2026, flu cases in New York City decreased, with 1.

    For the week ending April 4, 2026, flu cases in New York City decreased, with 1.06% of emergency department visits diagnosed with flu, down from 1.15% the prior week. This follows a season where over 146,000 flu cases were reported in the city by February 12, 2026.

March 2026 — 2 developments

  1. For the week ending March 28, 2026, New York State reported 11,848 new flu cases across all 62 counties and 13 influenza-associated pediatric deaths this season.

    For the week ending March 28, 2026, New York State reported 11,848 new flu cases across all 62 counties and 13 influenza-associated pediatric deaths this season. This follows a record-breaking week ending December 20, 2025, with 71,123 cases reported, an increase of 38% from the prior week, and Influenza B remains the predominant virus at 88% of positive cases.

  2. As of the week ending March 14, 2026, Influenza B accounted for 85% of positive flu cases in New Yor…

    As of the week ending March 14, 2026, Influenza B accounted for 85% of positive flu cases in New York State, with 9,426 laboratory-confirmed cases reported that week, an increase from 8,051 the previous week. Hospitalizations also rose to 287 for the week ending March 14, up from 276 the week prior.

February 2026 — 1 developments

  1. New York State is experiencing a record-breaking flu season, which has now been complicated by a second wave driven by Influenza B.

    New York State is experiencing a record-breaking flu season, which has now been complicated by a second wave driven by Influenza B. Doctors are expressing concern about the impact of this new strain, particularly on vulnerable populations such as children, older adults, and individuals with weakened immune systems.

January 2026 — 4 developments

  1. The NYC Health Department reported nearly 143,000 positive flu cases in New York City this season, with over half affecting children under 18.

    The NYC Health Department reported nearly 143,000 positive flu cases in New York City this season, with over half affecting children under 18. Weekly laboratory-reported cases for the week ending January 24 continued to decline, with over 2,200 cases.

  2. Flu cases in New York City surpassed 128,000 for the season by January 3, while statewide cases decreased by 32% after a record peak.

    Flu cases in New York City surpassed 128,000 for the season by January 3, while statewide cases decreased by 32% after a record peak. Hospitals in the Capital District have reinstated mask requirements for visitors due to the ongoing surge.

  3. New York State reported a record high of over 4,546 flu hospitalizations in the week ending December 27, 2025, driven by a mutated Influenza A H3N2 strain nicknamed the 'super flu.

    New York State reported a record high of over 4,546 flu hospitalizations in the week ending December 27, 2025, driven by a mutated Influenza A H3N2 strain nicknamed the 'super flu.' This strain, which has seven new mutations and was not included in the 2025-2026 flu vaccine, is responsible for approximately 90 percent of flu cases nationwide. By mid-January 2026, New York City had surpassed 136,000 positive flu cases, with over half affecting children under 18.

  4. The New York State Department of Health reported a new record of 4,546 flu hospitalizations in a single week, nearly 1,000 more than the previous week.

    The New York State Department of Health reported a new record of 4,546 flu hospitalizations in a single week, nearly 1,000 more than the previous week.

December 2025 — 3 developments

  1. Concerns were raised about a new, fast-spreading variant (subclade K, a mutation of the H3N2 strain)…

    Concerns were raised about a new, fast-spreading variant (subclade K, a mutation of the H3N2 strain) driving the increase in flu activity across the US, with potential implications for the effectiveness of the current flu vaccine.

  2. Flu hospitalizations in New York State climbed by 63% to 3,666 from the previous week, coinciding with the record-high weekly case count.

    Flu hospitalizations in New York State climbed by 63% to 3,666 from the previous week, coinciding with the record-high weekly case count.

  3. Earlier in December, the New York State Department of Health declared influenza prevalent statewide,…

    Earlier in December, the New York State Department of Health declared influenza prevalent statewide, requiring unvaccinated healthcare personnel to wear masks in patient care settings.

October 2025 — 1 developments

  1. In the first month of the 2025 flu season, New York reported over 15,000 cases, a significant increase from the previous season.

    In the first month of the 2025 flu season, New York reported over 15,000 cases, a significant increase from the previous season. The flu outbreak is estimated to contribute to $7 billion annually in lost productivity nationwide.

May 2025 — 1 developments

  1. The New York State Health Department announced that the 2024-2025 flu season saw the highest recorde…

    The New York State Health Department announced that the 2024-2025 flu season saw the highest recorded death toll among children, with 25 pediatric influenza-related deaths in New York.

December 2023 — 1 developments

  1. The 2023-2024 influenza season peaked nationally around this week, with New York/New Jersey/Puerto Rico (HHS Region 2) experiencing a similar timing of peak activity.

    The 2023-2024 influenza season peaked nationally around this week, with New York/New Jersey/Puerto Rico (HHS Region 2) experiencing a similar timing of peak activity.

October 2022 — 1 developments

  1. New York City reported 'high' flu activity for the 2022-2023 season, with hospitalizations breaking …

    New York City reported 'high' flu activity for the 2022-2023 season, with hospitalizations breaking a decade-long record for that time of year, signaling an early and severe start to the season.