Central North Carolina doctors reported a sharp spike in flu cases, especially among children.

Duke Health has seen flu cases rise:

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  • 202 cases for the week ending on Dec. 20
    • 435 cases for the week ending on Dec. 27

      A Duke Health spokesperson said Influenza A made up 360 of the 435 cases.

      WakeMed saw 1,590 flu cases for both adults and children during the week of Dec. 22-29. This number is more than double than the number of flu cases in 2024 in the same week, which was 615 cases. 

      Of the WakeMed flu cases in 2025, 81 resulted in hospitalizations compared to 34 the year before.

      From Dec. 24 through Wednesday, UNC Health reported 465 flu cases, of which 200 were children. UNC Health had 36 hospitalizations from the flu, including five children during this time span. UNC Health had 262 flu cases the week before.

      State data shows a sharp increase in flu cases in the past month. A total of 39 people (two children) died from the flu in 2025, state data shows.

      According to the state data, there has also been an increase in hospitalizations from the flu:

      • 2,000 for the week ending on Dec. 27
        • 1,058 for the week ending on Dec. 20
          • 543 for the week ending on Dec. 13
            • 299 for the week ending on Dec. 6

              More: NC measles vaccination data dashboard

              Duke Health doctor says 2025-26 flu season is more severe than previous year

              Dr. Melissa Campbell, a pediatric infectious diseases specialist at Duke Health, said this year’s flu season is more severe than in 2024.

              “We do have somewhat lower immunization or vaccination rate this current flu season,” Campbell said. “So, we would want to make sure that those folks [who] have not yet received their flu shot understand and know that they are still on time to go to their local pharmacy or provider [to] receive their flu shot.”

              UNC Health Dr. David Weber echoed Campbell’s sentiments.

              “We’re just about at the peak that we saw last year in terms of number of lab-confirmed cases each week, but we’re on a straight rocket up, so I’m sure we’ll have higher numbers than we had higher numbers than we had last year during any given week,” Weber said.

              Weber said North Carolina’s flu cases typically peak in late January to mid-February.

              The increase in flu cases comes as Duke Health is limiting hospital visitors starting Jan. 6, 2026, out of concern due to the rise of respiratory illnesses. Duke Health's announcement from Duke Health comes shortly after Cape Fear Valley Hospitals and WakeMed Hospitals implemented their visitor limitations, which started the week of Christmas.

              Campbell said Duke Health the flu has the greatest impact on children younger than 4 and adults older than 65. She said people who are immuno-compromised experience the most severe symptoms.

              How to protect yourself from the flu

              Campbell recommended people to receive a flu vaccination if they haven’t already. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends annual flu shots for people 6 months and older.

              “The idea is to prevent severe disease,” Campbell said. “The vaccine does prevent the severe disease that leads to hospitalization, ICU, the need for oxygen, breathing tubes, etc.”

              Related: North Carolinians urged to get flu shots as new strain spreads nationwide

              The CDC said there are also several preventive actions people can take to stop the spread of germs. They include:

              • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
                • If you are sick, limit contact with others as much as possible to keep from infecting them.
                  • Cover coughs and sneezes: Cover your nose and mouth with a tissue when you cough or sneeze. Throw the tissue in the trash after you use it.
                    • Wash your hands often with soap and water. If soap and water are not available, use an alcohol-based hand rub.
                      • Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth. Germs spread this way.
                        • Clean and disinfect surfaces and objects that may be contaminated with viruses that cause flu.
                          • For the flu, the CDC recommends that people stay home for at least 24 hours after their fever is gone, except to get medical care or other necessities. Fever should be gone without the need to use a fever-reducing medicine. Note that the stay-at-home guidance for COVID-19 may be different.

                            If you are sick with the flu, antiviral drugs can be used to treat your illness if your doctor prescribes them.

                            Campbell said parents and caregivers are the best experts at providing care for their children. She recommended acetaminophen or ibuprofen to quell symptoms. Campbell also said parents should monitor their children’s hydration levels.

                            The exact timing and duration of flu season vary. However, flu activity often begins to increase in October. Most of the time flu activity peaks between December and February, although significant activity can last as late as May.

                            Related: Comparing flu, COVID, cold and RSV: Understanding the differences and how to protect yourself

                            More WakeMed RSV, Covid data

                            WakeMed also provided the following data about the number of Respiratory syncytial virus [RSV] and Covid cases:

                            RSV

                            • WakeMed RSV numbers from Dec. 22-29, 2025: 161 cases, 16 hospitalizations
                              • WakeMed RSV numbers from Dec. 22-29, 2024: 409 cases, 27 hospitalizations

                                Covid

                                • WakeMed Covid numbers from Dec. 22-29, 2025: 165 cases, 19 hospitalizations
                                  • WakeMed Covid numbers from Dec. 22-29, 2024: 165 cases, 24 hospitalizations