STATEN ISLAND, N.Y. — The most recent state Health Department report on the 2025-2026 flu season details a complex and severe outbreak on Staten Island and beyond.

While new case numbers of an Influenza A strain being called “super flu“ because of its resistance to immunity has seen the first drop in weeks, hospitalizations continue to climb, according to data.

Here are five things you should know about the flu outbreak on Staten Island:

1. Contradictory flu trends

For the first time in 10 weeks, new flu cases on Staten Island fell by nearly half, dropping from 2,429 to 1,297 for the week ending Dec. 27, 2025, according to data. Despite this drop in reported cases, hospitalizations continued to rise, increasing from 95 to 130 in the same period. Doctors suggest this contradiction is due to a time delay between infection and the onset of severe illness requiring hospitalization. Also, many people with mild symptoms do not get tested, whereas those who become seriously ill are tested in hospitals, leading to a discrepancy between case counts and hospitalization rates.

2. Severe ‘super flu’ strain is dominant

The harshness of the current flu season is being driven by a severe strain of Influenza A called H3, nicknamed the “super flu.” This particular variant is responsible for an overwhelming 95% of flu cases in New York, according to the state Health Department. This trend is mirrored nationally, where the H3N2 variant accounts for 86% of all Influenza A cases. Dr. Ana Mendez, of Richmond University Medical Center, West Brighton, confirmed that most hospital admissions for viral illnesses in December, especially among children, were due to Influenza A.

3. Hospitalizations surging statewide

The increase in hospitalizations is a statewide issue, not just a local one. Across New York, flu-related hospitalizations jumped by 24% in the last week of December, with 4,546 new admissions, according to data. The season’s total hospitalizations have now reached 13,000, a stark contrast to the 1,500 reported by the same time last year. Reflecting the widespread severity, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has raised the national respiratory illness level to “high” for the first time this season. New York City’s level remains classified as “very high.”

4. Pediatric deaths increasing

The flu outbreak has led to a tragic increase in pediatric deaths. New York state reported its second child death of the season, doubling the total. Nationally, the CDC has reported eight influenza-associated pediatric deaths as of Dec. 20, with five of those occurring in a single week. The report noted specific cases, including the death of a 5-year-old boy whose father is a social media influencer, as NBC News reported, and a healthy 16-year-old girl in Ohio who had not received a flu vaccine. Doctors warned the flu can be especially dangerous for children, who are prone to dehydration and severe complications like bacterial pneumonia.

5. Health officials emphasize vaccination, antiviral treatment

In response to the severe season, health officials are urging the public to take preventive measures, with a strong emphasis on vaccination. While the vaccine does not guarantee complete immunity, medical experts stated that it can significantly lessen the severity of the illness and help prevent hospitalizations. Along with everyday actions like hand washing and staying home when sick, the CDC recommended that people who are very sick or at high risk of complications receive flu antiviral treatment as soon as possible after symptoms appear to reduce the risk of serious illness.