Flu Activity Increases Earlier This Season

Why it matters locally: An earlier start to flu season could place additional strain on healthcare resources across New Hampshire as the state prepares for its typical fall and winter respiratory illness period.

Influenza activity has shown an earlier increase this year, with initial reports indicating a rise in cases during September. This trend precedes the typical start of flu season, which generally occurs in October or November. Public health agencies monitor seasonal influenza patterns. They observe the circulation of influenza viruses and track reported illnesses. The current data points to a shift in the expected timeline for influenza's emergence.