Flu cases surge in North Carolina ahead of holiday season, 3 related deaths reported this week

RALEIGH, N.C. (WTVD) -- The North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services (NCDHHS) reported three flu-related deaths last week, bringing the season's total to nine.

Peak flu season typically arrives in January or early February, but cases began rising in November, according to Duke Health leaders.

Dr. Cameron Wolfe, an infectious disease specialist and associate professor at Duke University School of Medicine, said there is a significant presence of three flu variants, including a new sub-strain of Influenza A (H3) that recently emerged in the United States.

"Unfortunately this variant that we've seen of Influenza A, H3 is new to us. It's just that we saw it emerge in the U.K. a couple of months ago," he said. "I think, predicted that we might get an earlier start to rise here. And that's probably taken over most of the cases that we're already seeing."

While COVID and RSV cases remain low, many patients are experiencing symptoms of the common cold.

Common cold viruses tend to circulate late fall, as seen in previous years, Dr. Wolfe said. For many patients they see in the clinic, their flu and COVID tests come back negative, yet they continue to experience significant symptoms.

Dr. Caroline Sloan, a primary care physician and assistant professor at Duke, said those feeling unwell to take precautions during holiday gatherings.

"If you're going to be visiting family members who are at high risk of severe infection, just think twice about whether you should go visit them," she said. "And if you do go visit them, make sure you kind of stay separated. You wear a mask and protect yourself from whatever illness you have."

North Carolina recorded 542 flu-related deaths during the 2024-2025 respiratory virus season, the highest since reporting began in 2009.