National Surveillance: Understanding Current Respiratory Virus Activity
A new national surveillance report released on January 22, 2026, details evolving patterns in Respiratory Virus Activity across the nation. The findings indicate a welcome decrease in influenza activity, with flu now circulating at low levels. This public health report offers crucial insights into current viral circulation patterns.
Current Respiratory Virus Activity Landscape
The report, utilizing data up to week 3 of 2026, illustrates stable COVID-19 activity, remaining at baseline levels. Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) also experienced a slight decrease, with RSV now circulating at low levels. This marks a shift in Respiratory Virus Activity from potentially higher levels earlier in the season. The UK Health Security Agency (UKHSA) data for England mirrors these trends; influenza positivity decreased to 11.7% in week 2 of 2026, while COVID-19 positivity saw a slight increase to 1.6%, and RSV positivity decreased to 7.3%.
Dominant Flu Strains and Vaccine Uptake in Respiratory Virus Activity
Influenza A(H3N2) viruses continue to be the predominant subtyped influenza viruses detected nationally. This strain has maintained dominance globally and regionally. A notable development is the emergence and rapid spread of a new variant, Influenza A(H3N2) subclade K (J.2.4.1), which differs antigenically from previous strains. While experts have described this as a potential ‘perfect storm’ due to its early onset and immune evasion capabilities, current data do not suggest an increase in disease severity associated with this new strain, influencing overall Respiratory Virus Activity.
Vaccine uptake for the 2025-2026 season demonstrates positive trends, with higher vaccine uptake reported for pregnant women and two-year-olds compared to the previous season. Overall influenza vaccine uptake remains a critical public health strategy for managing Respiratory Virus Activity. In the US, approximately 130 million doses have been distributed, and early estimates in England indicate strong flu vaccination effectiveness against hospitalization.
Global and Regional Respiratory Virus Trends
Globally, influenza activity was elevated in early January 2026, with positivity just under 20%, though many regions are now showing decreasing trends. The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) noted earlier and more intense RSV and flu activity than in previous seasons, raising concerns about simultaneous respiratory epidemics. The overlap in symptoms between these viruses complicates clinical responses and impacts overall Respiratory Virus Activity.
In the US, seasonal influenza activity, while elevated nationally, has decreased or remained stable for two consecutive weeks. The CDC classifies the 2025-2026 season as moderately severe overall, with high severity in pediatric cases and moderate severity in adult groups. Notably, children under 18 are experiencing the highest peak weekly hospitalization rate since the 2010-2011 season, a significant factor in pediatric Respiratory Virus Activity.
COVID-19 Surveillance and Respiratory Virus Activity
COVID-19 activity has remained stable nationally. Reports from Hong Kong indicate overall local activity at a low level, with prevalent COVID-19 variants NB.1.8.1 and LP.8.1, both related to the JN.1 lineage. The WHO lists these as variants under monitoring. Currently approved vaccines are expected to remain effective against them, contributing to the stable global SARS-CoV-2 activity despite regional variations. This stability is a positive aspect of the current Respiratory Virus Activity landscape.
Looking Ahead: Monitoring Respiratory Virus Activity
Public health agencies are continuing to monitor these trends closely. The emergence of new influenza variants underscores the necessity of ongoing surveillance for effective Respiratory Virus Activity management. Continued vaccination efforts are paramount in preventing severe illness and hospitalizations. The interplay between flu, COVID-19, and RSV presents a complex challenge for healthcare systems, particularly for pediatric and geriatric care. Public health messages emphasizing personal hygiene and vaccination remain vital for protecting individual and community health. The news from London and other major cities regarding Respiratory Virus Activity will be closely observed, as this ongoing trend monitoring is vital for public health preparedness. News reports consistently highlight the importance of these surveillance efforts in understanding Respiratory Virus Activity.
The next report, expected on January 22, 2026, will provide a continuous flow of news and data crucial for understanding evolving public health threats and guiding strategies for preparedness and timely interventions related to Respiratory Virus Activity.
