CDC Warns of High Flu RSV and Measles Activity This Winter Urges Vaccination and Prevention

Public health officials in the United States are currently warning listeners about several key health concerns. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, respiratory viruses remain a major issue this winter. Seasonal influenza activity is high nationwide, with the CDC estimating at least 15 million flu illnesses, 180,000 hospitalizations, and thousands of deaths so far this season. ABC News, citing CDC data, reports that flu activity remains elevated even as some regions are seeing small declines in positive tests. Health authorities continue to urge listeners to get vaccinated if they have not yet done so, and to stay home when sick, wash hands frequently, and wear a mask in crowded indoor spaces if they are vulnerable. The University of Minnesota’s Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy reports that respiratory syncytial virus, or RSV, also remains elevated, particularly affecting young children, with emergency visits and hospitalizations up among those 0 to 4 years old. COVID-19 continues to contribute to hospitalizations, and federal officials expect the 2025–2026 respiratory season to have a similar burden from COVID, flu, and RSV as last year. Older adults, infants, pregnant people, and those with chronic conditions are strongly encouraged to stay current on recommended vaccines and to seek prompt care for trouble breathing, chest pain, or confusion. Measles is another concern. ProMED, an international disease surveillance network run by the International Society for Infectious Diseases, has posted recent alerts on measles cases in multiple U.S. states, including North Carolina, Nebraska, Ohio, Idaho, Arizona, Utah, and South Carolina, reflecting ongoing outbreaks tied to gaps in vaccination. Public health agencies stress that measles is highly contagious and that two doses of the MMR vaccine provide strong protection. Anyone exposed who is not fully vaccinated should contact their health provider or local health department quickly. There are also important national policy changes. On January 5, 2026, the CDC revised the childhood vaccine schedule, cutting the number of diseases for which vaccines are routinely recommended from 17 to 11. Coverage in Time magazine, AFP Fact Check, and analyses from the University of California, Berkeley and state and local health departments explain that vaccines for hepatitis A, hepatitis B, meningococcal disease, rotavirus, influenza, and RSV are now recommended mainly for high-risk children or through shared decision-making with a clinician. Pediatric and infectious disease experts, including the Infectious Diseases Society of America, warn that this may increase the risk of outbreaks if families misinterpret these vaccines as unnecessary and emphasize that these vaccines remain available, safe, and effective. Thanks for tuning in, and remember to subscribe for the latest public health updates. This has been a quiet please production, for more check out quiet please dot