December 2025

Public Health Braces for an Uncertain — and Possibly Severe — Flu Season

As winter approaches, health officials in the US and around the world are raising alarms about what could be a challenging 2025-2026 flu season. A mix of evolving virus strains, low vaccination uptake, and early signs of rising flu activity have created what many experts describe as a “perfect storm.”

A key concern this season is a newly observed variant of influenza A (H3N2), referred to as subclade K, which has sparked warnings from physicians and public-health researchers. 

According to early data from Canada — echoed by reports elsewhere globally — this strain may not match well with the version of H3N2 included in this year’s vaccines. Because of this mismatch, vaccines may offer reduced protection against infection, though experts emphasize they may still help lessen the severity of illness and reduce hospitalizations. 

The concern over subclade K is more than academic: in some regions, early flu-related hospitalizations have already spiked — prompting health authorities to urge increased vigilance. 

Compounding the threat of a mutated flu strain is what appears to be a disappointing uptake of the seasonal flu vaccine globally. Public-health officials warn that low vaccination coverage among children and adults leaves large portions of the population vulnerable. 

A Season Already Showing Warning Signs

The latest projections from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and other bodies have flagged the 2025–2026 season as high risk.

According to the World Health Organization, flu activity in some European nations began earlier than average, about four weeks ahead of the typical schedule. Meanwhile, U.S. healthcare systems are bracing for pressure: in recent seasons, hospitalizations and emergency-department visits tied to flu have risen sharply. 

Experts warn that if the new H3N2 subclade spreads widely, and vaccination remains patchy, we could be looking at one of the worst flu seasons in years.

As always, certain groups are especially vulnerable. The elderly, very young children, pregnant individuals, people with chronic illnesses or compromised immune systems face greater risk of severe outcomes. Beyond individual illness, the broader risk is to the health system itself: hospitals may face surges in admissions, and healthcare workers could be stretched thin, especially amid continued circulation of other respiratory viruses like RSV and COVID-19. 

Given these threats, public-health authorities strongly recommend that everyone aged 6 months and older get vaccinated, if they have no contraindications. Even with the vaccine mismatch risks, vaccination still reduces the chances of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. 

Additionally, experts advise people to adopt proven hygiene and respiratory-virus precautions:

  • Stay home if you’re sick.
  • Wash hands frequently.
  • Cover coughs and sneezes properly.
  • Use masks when indoors around vulnerable people or when respiratory illness is spreading.
  • Consider getting vaccinated against other circulating respiratory diseases, especially respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).

This flu season could be more dangerous than many in recent memory. The combination of a new, potentially evasive strain; low vaccination rates; strained healthcare systems; and early signs of rising cases creates a precarious situation.

But it’s not too late to protect yourself and our community.  The staff at BI Health Services recommend that you get a seasonal influenza vaccine if you have not already done so. If you need a flu vaccine, please call the office and we will schedule your appointment. We also recommend the RSV vaccine, which can be obtained at CVS, Walgreens and other mainland retail pharmacies. 

Alpha-gal – An Update for the Block Island Community

The BIHC staff have heard from many of you that there is a real concern about the presence of allergy to alpha-gal, acquired from a Lone-star tick bite. We are currently aware of 12 individuals who have been identified by BIHC as having this allergy since January 2025. There are certainly individuals who were identified by providers and laboratories outside of our facility, and therefore it is impossible to know the true number of affected individuals on Block Island. 

It is interesting to note that although there are no large, controlled studies, there is evidence of a possible reduction in allergic response in individuals who abstain from eating all mammalian food products and avoid additional tick bites from Lone-star ticks for a period of 12-24 months. There are two web sites that I recommend for people who would like to learn more about alpha-gal. 

   -- Laurie Anderson, APRN-C, CDOE