New variant of the flu virus is driving surge of cases across the US and Canada

A particularly infectious subvariant of influenza is keeping emergency room numbers high and causing especially severe illness in children.

By: Zachary W. Binder, UMass Chan Medical School, The Conversation

Outlets: The Conversation

Published: January 16, 2026

Words: 1,256

Last Updated: 2 months ago

By Zachary W. Binder, UMass Chan Medical School

After a sharp uptick in flu cases in mid-December 2025, flu activity across the U.S. and Canada remains high.

Although cases are trending downward in Canada as of Jan. 9, 2026, the season has yet to peak in the U.S., according to data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

As an emergency room pediatrician in central Massachusetts, I’m seeing a …

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