Mesa County in Colorado is facing a sharp rise in flu hospitalizations, with 73 people admitted since October 1, 2025, according to local public health reports. This local surge mirrors a national flu outbreak that has led to at least 7.5 million illnesses and 81,000 hospitalizations across the country in the 2025-2026 season, as tracked by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Local Impact in Mesa County

Health officials in Mesa County released their latest illness trends on December 30, 2025, showing a big jump in flu cases. The number of flu hospitalizations climbed by more than 64 since the previous update on December 16, 2025. This increase has strained local hospitals and raised concerns among residents.

Experts point to a mutated strain of influenza A, known as H3N2 subclade K, which is spreading fast worldwide and hitting the US hard. In Mesa County, this has led to more people seeking care, especially during the holiday season when gatherings boost transmission.

Public health teams urge vaccination and good hygiene to curb the spread. They note that while COVID-19 and RSV cases are also up, with 23 and 5 hospitalizations respectively, flu remains the main driver of the current wave.

National Flu Trends and CDC Insights

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reports that seasonal influenza activity is high and still climbing in many states. For the week ending December 20, 2025, key indicators like test positivity and outpatient visits showed sustained rises. Severity remains low for now, but experts predict the peak could last several weeks.

States like New York, Colorado, and Louisiana are seeing very high flu-like activity. New York broke records with thousands of new cases in a single week, marking a 38 percent jump. Colorado as a whole has hit its highest hospitalization levels in five years, with officials warning that the worst may not be over yet.

This season’s flu has caused at least 3,100 deaths nationwide, including five pediatric deaths reported in one week alone. The CDC estimates that without strong prevention efforts, numbers could climb higher as winter deepens.

Why This Season Feels Worse

Several factors are making the 2025-2026 flu season stand out. Lower vaccination rates in some areas, combined with the emergence of a more severe strain, have fueled the outbreak. In places like Idaho and Arizona, positivity rates in clinics have hit 50 percent, and wastewater tests confirm high virus levels.

Past seasons offer context. For example, the 2019-2020 flu season saw between 400,000 and 730,000 hospitalizations nationwide, but this year’s early surge suggests it could rival or exceed those figures if trends continue.

Health experts also link the rise to post-pandemic behaviors, such as reduced mask use and more travel. In Colorado, officials note that areas with vaccination rates below 50 percent, like parts of Mesa County, face higher risks, echoing patterns seen in earlier variant surges.

• Vaccination Gaps: Many regions report rates under 40 percent, leaving populations vulnerable.
• Symptom Watch: Look for fever, cough, fatigue, and body aches, which can worsen quickly in at-risk groups.
• Prevention Tips: Wash hands often, stay home when sick, and get vaccinated to reduce severe cases.

Comparisons to Recent Outbreaks

Looking back, the 2022-2023 season had over 19,000 flu hospitalizations in a single week, but this year’s pace is accelerating faster into the new year. In 2021, Mesa County saw spikes due to low vaccination and variants, leading to similar hospital strains.

Nationwide, flu cases spiked in December 2025, following what some call the most severe season since 2018. With 32 jurisdictions now at high or very high activity levels, the outbreak shows no signs of slowing.

Public health messages stress that while flu is common, this strain’s mutations make it more concerning. Comparisons to COVID-19 waves highlight the need for quick action, as combined illnesses like flu and RSV can overwhelm systems.

Health Advice and Future Outlook

Doctors recommend watching for symptoms like high fever and shortness of breath, which signal the need for medical help. For vulnerable groups, such as children under five and older adults, hospitalization risks are higher, with mortality rates around 0.1 percent in severe cases.

To protect yourself, get the flu shot if you haven’t already. It’s still effective against the dominant strains. Local clinics in Mesa County offer free or low-cost options, and national campaigns push for broader uptake.

As we move deeper into 2026, experts forecast continued activity but hope that awareness will blunt the impact. Staying informed and proactive can make a real difference.

What do you think about this flu surge? Share your experiences in the comments and pass this article along to friends and family to help spread awareness.