A devastating wave of influenza, fuelled by a newly dominant strain nicknamed 'super flu', has resulted in the deaths of more than a dozen children across the United States in just the past week. The latest figures from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) show 15 new pediatric flu-related deaths were reported, bringing the season's tragic total to 32.
A Nationwide Toll on the Young
Health officials in multiple states have confirmed fresh fatalities, highlighting the severe impact on children. Virginia announced its first pediatric death of the season in a child under four years old. Ohio reported two further deaths—a six-year-old and a teenager—bringing its total to three in under a month.
In a particularly harrowing case, four-year-old Elora 'Ellie' Ann Rudd from Utah lost her life after a severe flu infection led to pneumonia, sepsis, and ultimately a massive stroke. Her mother, Sarah Rudd, has since publicly urged adults to get vaccinated. Nine in ten children who have died from flu this season were not fully vaccinated, according to the CDC.
South Carolina estimates its flu deaths are triple those of the previous year, with 19 reported for the 2025-2026 season so far.
Signs the 'Super Flu' Surge is Slowing
The surge, largely driven by a new H3N2 subclade K variant unfamiliar to immune systems, is now showing signs of receding. Data for the week of January 10 indicates a significant drop in key metrics:
- The percentage of positive influenza tests fell to 19%, down from 25% the previous week.
- Hospitalisations decreased by 31%, from 39,945 to 27,428.
- The number of states reporting 'very high' flu activity nearly halved, from 27 to 14.
For the first time in weeks, no states reported the CDC's highest activity level (13). States with the most significant activity in the week of January 10 included Massachusetts, Missouri, South Carolina, Louisiana, and New Mexico.
The Critical Role of Vaccination
Despite the encouraging downturn, health authorities stress that the threat remains, particularly for the unvaccinated. The annual flu vaccine, which is between 30 and 75 percent effective, has been taken by less than half of Americans this season.
Ellie Rudd had not received her flu shot this season. Her mother's message is now one of caution and prevention: "Honestly, just get your shots," she told CNN. "Even if it doesn’t work this year, maybe it could have helped... Probably next season, we’ll look into getting the flu shot for our kids and us, so just extra peace of mind."
Experts warn that while symptoms of the 'super flu' are similar to other strains, it is leading to more severe illness in children, characterised by week-long fevers and coughs that cause breathing difficulties.
