Louisiana has highest flu activity in U.S., health department data shows

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) - Louisiana is seeing the highest influenza activity in the United States, according to data released by the Louisiana Department of Health.

“And we feel it in the urgent care,” Dr. Hector Cabrera of LCMC Health said.

Cabrera said the 2026-27 flu season started early this year. He said cases usually start to rise in December.

Cabrera said clinics in the area are filling up with patients with flu-related respiratory illnesses.

“For Louisiana, we’re at 4.3% of all outpatient encounters are for influenza-like illness,” Cabrera said.

Gregory Butler said he is shocked to see cases rising this early. He said it is making him more aware of his surroundings.

“Never know, it might be the weather. That’s all I could think of,” Butler said.

“I don’t feel like it’s safe. I feel like a lot of people are getting their flu shots,” Butler said.

Bernard Garnett also spoke about the flu.

“When you don’t get it, there’s a chance of you getting it or creating something even worse,” Garnett said.

Asked whether rising flu cases scare him, Garnett said, “To some degree.”

Doctors say young children and adults 65 and older are among the most at risk of complications if they catch the flu.

Cabrera said the virus is showing up among people who spend their days in close contact with others.

“We are in the urgent care seeing lots of kids and lots of teachers as well because of their exposure at school,” Cabrera said.

“There’s no better preventative tool than our vaccines,” Cabrera said.

“If you develop symptoms, get tested. Know that there is effective treatment for influenza. There’s antivirals, but they’re most effective if they’re started early,” Cabrera said.

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