Flu cases have increased across Florida during the holiday season, adding pressure to hospitals and emergency rooms as respiratory illnesses circulate statewide. Health officials report that more residents are testing positive for influenza, with visits related to flu symptoms rising in emergency departments and outpatient clinics.
The trend mirrors a national increase that has drawn attention from public health agencies and infectious disease specialists.
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A significant factor behind the rise is a mutated form of influenza A known as H3N2, specifically a variant referred to as clade K or subclade K. According to experts, this strain is driving a large share of current flu cases in the United States.
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Andrew Pekosz, co-director of the Johns Hopkins Center of Excellence in Influenza Research and Response, said the variant contains mutations that may reduce, though not eliminate, protection provided by this season’s flu vaccine. Several countries experienced a demanding flu season linked to this strain, raising concerns about its impact in the U.S.
Data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention show that flu-related hospitalizations and deaths have increased nationwide. In Florida, the Department of Health reports elevated levels of flu and influenza-like illness across much of the state.
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While some areas, including Miami-Dade and Monroe counties, have shown early signs of decline, overall activity remains higher than expected for this point in the season.
Doctors across South Florida say they are seeing a mix of respiratory infections, with influenza standing out as a leading cause of illness. The predominant strain identified in Florida is influenza A H3, also called A(H3N2), which belongs to the same subtype as the clade K variant.
Public health officials continue to stress the importance of vaccination, even as the virus evolves. The 2025–2026 flu vaccine was designed to protect against three main strains: H1N1, A(H3N2), and a B/Victoria lineage virus.
