{
  "id": 20049605,
  "title": "The U.S. flu season is off to a very early start. It's hitting the South and West now",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/14/the-u-s-flu-season-is-off-to-a-very-early-start-its-hitting-the-south",
  "topic": "health",
  "section": "Health & Medicine",
  "published": "2026-11-14T21:02:19.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "PBS NewsHour Health",
    "slug": "pbs-newshour-health",
    "url": "https://www.pbs.org/newshour/health/the-u-s-flu-season-is-off-to-a-very-early-start-its-hitting-the-south-and-west-now"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The U.S. flu season has begun earlier than usual, with high activity now being reported in seven states, including California, Louisiana, Oregon, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, and Washington. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported that over 3% of doctors' office visits in the past week were for flu-like illnesses, marking the start of the flu season. Dr. Fred Lopez, an infectious diseases specialist, advised those who haven't been vaccinated to do so immediately. The flu hospitalization rate in mid-October was the highest seen at that time in over 15 years, according to Dr. Anna Durbin of Johns Hopkins University. At least 2.6 million illnesses, 36,000 hospitalizations, and 2,100 deaths have been attributed to flu infections so far this season. The surge in flu activity is expected to continue, especially as people travel and gather for Thanksgiving.",
  "summary": "The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Friday posted its latest update, reporting that seven states were reporting high flu activity last week, up from two states the week before.",
  "key_points": [
    "U.S. flu season started early, with activity in seven states",
    "Over 3% of doctor visits due to flu-like illnesses",
    "Flu hospitalization rate highest in 15 years"
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}