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Flu activity has climbed to unusually high levels across the Fairfax Health District, with children and teenagers accounting for more than half of recent influenza-related emergency department and urgent care visits.

The district, which includes Fairfax County, Fairfax City and Falls Church, is experiencing more flu activity than it recorded either before or after the COVID-19 pandemic, according to the Fairfax County Health Department.

From Jan. 26 through Feb. 1, 2025, about 14%—roughly one in seven—of patients visiting local emergency departments and urgent care centers were diagnosed with influenza. Among children, flu was responsible for approximately 25% to 27% of visits.

Health department data shows that respiratory illness visits began rising in early December before accelerating sharply in January. Flu accounted for 5.3% of all visits during the week beginning Jan. 12, then jumped to 14.4% during the week beginning Jan. 26.

More than half of the influenza-related visits that week involved children and teenagers ages 2 through 17.

Overall, acute respiratory illnesses accounted for 37% of emergency and urgent care visits by Fairfax Health District residents. By comparison, flu-like illnesses represented 6.7% of emergency visits when the previous winter respiratory season peaked around mid-January.

COVID-19 and respiratory syncytial virus remained at low levels. COVID-19 accounted for 1.6% of emergency department visits, while RSV represented 0.09%.

The flu increase extends beyond Northern Virginia. As of Jan. 28, influenza activity was classified as very high statewide, making up 7.1% of Virginia hospital visits and expected to keep growing, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

The surge comes as flu vaccination has declined. Nationwide distribution of flu vaccine doses has fallen each year since the 2021-2022 season, while vaccination rates among children have also decreased locally and across the country.

Two children in Virginia have died from influenza during the season, according to the Virginia Department of Health.

Fairfax health officials continue to recommend annual vaccination as the strongest protection against severe illness, hospitalization and death. The CDC recommends a yearly flu shot for everyone 6 months and older. Although vaccination is ideally completed by the end of October, officials say it remains worthwhile while influenza continues circulating.

Residents can also limit transmission by avoiding close contact with sick people, washing their hands regularly, keeping their hands away from their eyes, nose and mouth, and cleaning frequently touched surfaces. Improving indoor air quality and wearing a mask can further reduce exposure to respiratory droplets.