KY seeing very high spread as ‘super flu’ sweeps US. What’s different about it?
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- CDC reports rising flu activity; Kentucky records very high influenza-like illness.
- H3N2 subclade K spreads rapidly and drives the early 2025-26 'super flu' surge.
- CDC and state health officials advise vaccination now to reduce severe illness and spread.
If you haven’t gotten around to getting your flu shot yet, you might want to make that appointment now.
The latest weekly FluView report from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, published Jan. 5, shows flu activity is up and continuing to rise across the country. That’s especially true for Kentucky, which is experiencing a “very high” level of influenza-like illness, as of the week ending Dec. 27, 2025.
Kentucky’s Department for Public Health also reports elevated and increasing levels of seasonal flu activity, with other respiratory viruses, such as COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus, also on the rise. Emergency department and inpatient visits for acute respiratory illnesses are spiking, the state public health agency reports.
The state has already recorded its first pediatric flu death of the season in an unvaccinated child in Kenton County.
So what’s contributing to the surge? A new, fast-spreading H3N2 flu variant called subclade K that has quickly become the dominant strain in the country, as reported by NBC News. It’s been nicknamed the “super flu,” partly because of its mutations and how it’s coincided with an unusually early flu season around the globe.
Here’s what to know about who’s most at risk and practical steps you can take right now to protect yourself.
What are ‘super flu’ symptoms, and who’s most at risk?
H3N2 subclade K symptoms mirror those of a classic influenza, with common symptoms including:
- Sudden fever or chills
- Persistent cough
- Sore throat
- Body and muscle aches
- Headache
- Fatigue or weakness
- Nasal congestion or runny nose
As explained by the CDC, adults aged 65 and older, children younger than 2 years old, those who are pregnant, people with weakened immune systems and other risk factors are at greater risk for complications from the flu.
The CDC’s current recommendation is that everyone ages 6 months and older should get the flu vaccine.
Is it too late to get your flu vaccine?
No, it’s not too late, and according to University of Kentucky infectious disease specialist Dr. Nicholas Van Sickels, it’s actually a great time to get your flu vaccine.
“It is really not too late to get your shot,” Van Sickels told the Herald-Leader just before Christmas, noting it only takes about a week to get some level of protection.
While some public health experts note H3N2 subclade K is not well-matched to this year’s flu vaccine, the shot can still keep you from getting severely ill if you do get the flu. Further, it helps protect vulnerable individuals and reduces spread.
Beyond getting your annual flu vaccine, the CDC also recommends several ways to reduce your risk of catching the flu, including:
- Covering your coughs and sneezes with a tissue, and throwing it away immediately. If you don’t have a tissue on hand, use your elbow.
- Wash your hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds. Alternatively, use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer with at least 60% alcohol.
- Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
- Stay home when you’re sick and isolate for at least 24 hours after your fever breaks without fever-reducing medications. Take precautions for several days afterward to avoid further spreading it.
- Avoid close contact with sick people and use indoor ventilation during gatherings.
- Disinfect commonly used surfaces in your home, such as doorknobs, phones and countertops.
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