NC flu deaths: Total of 527 flu-related deaths this season

There have been 527 flu-associated deaths in North Carolina this flu season, according to the latest data from the state. That's the highest amount of deaths since the state started reporting data in 2009.

There have been 522 adults and five children who have died from the virus in the 2024-25 season in North Carolina. Flu hospitalizations have declined every week since early February, when respiratory symptoms made up over 21% of hospital visits. The last week of April, flu-related hospitalizations were at 0.6%.

All major respiratory viruses (COVID, flu, RSV) remain low in circulation with just 5% of North Carolina hospital visits in the past week for those symptoms. 

There were two more deaths (all for adults) added with this week's report, which is typically updated each Wednesday. Of the 527 to die from the virus in North Carolina this flu season, 374 of those people have been 65 or older.

State epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore said North Carolina is seeing the most flu-related deaths since 2009, when the state began tracking deaths tied to the virus.

"It's a matter of seeing more flu cases than we're seeing a higher fatality rate among the cases," he said. "This has been a severe flu season."

Moore said the overwhelming amount of flu cases have been influenza A, but tracking why it's been a busy season is not as simple as narrowing down one strain.

"It may have to do with the level of immunity out in the population," he said.

The abnormally busy flu season is putting parents like Abdul Eljabaly on high-alert.

"We are constantly worried about [my daughter] as you go to the playground or go to other places," Eljabaly said. "It's on the front of you mind whether she's at risk of getting it again."

'Virus of the season'

Dr. Rachel Roper with East Carolina University's Brody School of Medicine called flu the "virus of the season" in February.

"Flu has been really high the last few months, much higher than COVID or RSV," she said.

Five children between the ages of 5 and 17 have died from the virus in North Carolina. The two pediatric deaths, reported on Wednesday, Feb. 12, were the first child deaths from flu complications in the state's 2024-25 flu season.

According to the state, one child was from eastern North Carolina, and the other lived in central North Carolina. Limited information was shared to protect both families’ privacy.

The state recommends all children 6 months and older get a yearly flu shot.

"We at the North Carolina Department of Health and Human Services extend our deepest sympathies to the families of these children," said state epidemiologist Dr. Zack Moore. "This is a sad reminder that seasonal influenza can be serious and, in some cases, even fatal. If you or your loved ones have not received the flu vaccine this season, please consider doing so to help protect your family and those around you."  

At the start of March, influenza accounted for 62% of all respiratory virus emergency room visits.

Daniel Park, the Medical Director of the pediatric emergency department at UNC Medical Center, discussed the emergency department's high patient volume due to viral surges and compared the current season to pre-pandemic patterns, noting a higher amplitude of flu cases this year.

"I usually call the emergency department the canary in the coal mine for respiratory viruses, and this is no different," he said. "When you have a large surge in viral cases, the waiting rooms pile up, the urgent cares are busy. That means the emergency departments are full. And you know that there's just continued backup as patients are admitted to the hospital."

A return to pre-pandemic patterns

Recent data from UNC Health showed in the first week of January the number of lab-confirmed influenza cases at McLendon Laboratories was less than 100. In the first week of February, that number has risen to nearly 400 positive cases.

Park said cases are beginning to trend toward pre-pandemic patterns.

"So right now, if you look at the data for this year, the timing is very similar to pre-2020 flu numbers, although the amplitude, or the height of the curve is a lot higher. So we are seeing more cases this year than we did see prior to the pandemic. But this seems to be a very intense flu season," he said.

WakeMed also shared its recent data for COVID-19, RSV and flu.

Between Jan. 26 and Feb. 3, the hospital reported 1,122 positive flu tests and 39 hospitalizations. That number has nearly doubled compared to the first half of January.

During this same time period, WakeMed reported 204 positive COVID tests with 23 hospitalizations. It also had 140 positive RSV tests with 11 hospitalizations.

These numbers are compared to a few weeks ago from Jan. 6 through Jan. 15.

The hospital reported 679 positive flu tests with 28 hospitalizations. It received 236 positive COVID tests with 29 hospitalizations and 257 positive RSV tests with 24 hospitalizations.

Duke Health is reporting a similar trend. Its data shows the number of daily cases of COVID-19, flu and RSV across the Duke University Health System hospitals over the last month. The statistics indicate COVID is relatively flat, RSV is trending down, but flu is trending up.

It appears RSV and COVID have peaked, but the flu is still rising. The number and rate of positive cases of COVID is notably lower today than it was at this point last year.

Park said emergency departments have been overwhelmed with patients in recent weeks for the flu. He said children 2 years old and under, people older than 65 and those with underlying breathing or heart conditions run a higher risk of getting very ill from the flu.

"We are seeing very, very sick children with the flu. But we see that every year. We just happen to see a lot of them this season because the numbers are so high," Park said. "And then my colleagues in the adult emergency department are also seeing on the other end of the spectrum, very, very sick, elderly. So this seems to be a pretty severe season."

In 2024 in North Carolina, there were more than 300 flu related deaths, including 16 children.

Studies show getting the flu vaccine lowers your chances of getting the flu by 50%. This year's vaccine covers two influenza A viruses and influenza B.

Health experts said there’s been a general overall hesitancy over the past several years for vaccines.

"But the patients that I've encountered are still very supportive of the flu vaccine, because they've had it for many, many years," Park said. "And when we see patients in the emergency department, when either their loved ones or their children are sick, we use that as an opportunity to stress the importance of vaccination, especially for the most vulnerable populations."

Doctors emphasize if you are experiencing flu-like symptoms, such as a fever or vomiting, to see a doctor immediately and get tested; be sure to drink plenty of fluids and stay home to prevent the spread of the virus.