Oct 16, 2026 - Health
North Carolina reporting low flu activity as flu season starts early
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Early signs suggest flu season is starting sooner than in recent years.
Why it matters: If you're thinking about getting your flu shot, health experts suggest it's time to roll up your sleeve.
Zoom in: North Carolina is reporting very low flu activity so far, as of the week ending Oct. 3, per CDC surveillance measures.
- Roughly 100 people were hospitalized with flu-like illnesses in North Carolina last week, according to the state's Department of Health and Human Services.
- Last flu season's hospitalizations in the state peaked at 2,122 in the first week of 2026.
The big picture: Nationally, about 3.6% of flu tests came back positive in early October, compared with just 0.6% at the same point last year, according to CDC data.
The intrigue: This season, the new U.S.-approved mRNA flu vaccine is available to adults 50 and older.