The flu is continuing to cause widespread illness across the United States, with all but four states reporting high or very high levels of activity as a new strain, known as subclade K, spreads rapidly.

“This is absolutely a standout year,” said Dr. Caitlin Rivers, an epidemiologist and senior scholar at the Johns Hopkins Center for Health Security, as per CNN. “It’s the worst flu activity we’ve seen in at least two decades. Most of the country is experiencing extremely high levels, and we are still very much in the middle of it.”

She added that it is unusual to see such a severe flu season follow another difficult year, as intense seasons do not typically happen back to back.

U.S. Sees Worst Flu-Like Illness Levels In 25 Years

Across the country, about 8.2 percent of all doctor visits during the final week of the year were for flu-like symptoms. At the same time last season, which was also considered severe, that figure stood at 6.7 percent.

In Massachusetts, where flu activity is rated as very high, health officials urged residents to get vaccinated as soon as possible.

Experts stressed that vaccines remain the most effective tool available. “They prevent severe illness and hospitalization, and they save lives. If you have not yet received a flu or COVID-19 vaccine this season, now is the time. It is not too late. Getting vaccinated protects not just you, but also your family, friends, colleagues, and the wider community.”

Nearly All States Report High Flu Activity

The latest CDC data shows that almost every state is experiencing high or very high flu activity. Montana and Vermont reported low levels, while South Dakota and West Virginia were at moderate levels. Nevada did not submit flu data this week, but last week’s report showed high activity there as well.

When it comes to severity, measured by hospitalizations, this flu season has not yet reached record levels. However, the cumulative hospitalization rate is already the third highest for this point in the season since 2010–11, and experts warn that could rise as infections continue.

Experts Urge Immediate Vaccination

Dr. Michael Osterholm, who leads the Center for Infectious Disease Research and Policy at the University of Minnesota, urged people to act quickly.

“If you haven’t been vaccinated, do it within the next 48 hours. Don’t put it off,” he said. “You may still be able to protect yourself from the later stages of the season, but it takes about seven to 10 days for the body to build immunity after vaccination. There’s very little time to waste.”

The CDC estimates that at least 11 million people have been infected with the flu so far this season. Around 120,000 have been hospitalized, and 5,000 people have died.

Child Deaths and Falling Vaccination Rates

The agency also confirmed another child death linked to influenza, bringing the total number of pediatric flu deaths this season to nine.

At the same time, flu vaccination rates among children have dropped sharply. Coverage has fallen from 53 percent during the 2019–20 season to 42 percent at the same point this year.

The new flu data was released on the same day the US Department of Health and Human Services announced plans to revise the childhood vaccine schedule. The proposed changes would recommend flu shots for children only after consultation with a healthcare provider, a process known as shared clinical decision-making. Critics worry this could make vaccines harder to access.

“To pull back on flu recommendations during a season this severe feels deeply out of touch,” said Dr. Sean O’Leary, chair of the American Academy of Pediatrics’ Committee on Infectious Diseases. “That comes after a year in which we saw the highest number of childhood flu deaths in many years.”

Adult Vaccination Also Declines

Vaccination rates have also dropped among adults. CDC data shows that nearly 61 million adults received a flu shot during the 2019–20 season. This year, that number has fallen to about 48 million.

Rivers said she does not believe lower vaccination rates are the main reason for the surge in cases.

“The flu vaccine is not primarily meant to stop infection or transmission,” she explained. “Its main role is to prevent severe illness.”

New Flu Strain Drives the Surge

Instead, experts point to the emergence of the new subclade K strain, which now accounts for most flu samples analyzed in laboratories.

Rivers said the strain appears different enough from past flu viruses to bypass existing immune protection in many people. Subclade K began spreading after scientists had already selected the strains used for this year’s flu vaccines. As a result, the shots likely provide only partial protection against it.

“I think this virus has real staying power,” Osterholm said, as per CNN, noting similar patterns in Australia, Japan, and parts of the United Kingdom. “We’re likely to see significant community spread for at least another three to four weeks.”

World Doctors’ Day is celebrated every year on March 30 to honor physicians for their dedication and compassion in saving lives and ensuring healthy communities.

Doctors are often regarded as God as they work tirelessly to save lives, even amidst conflicts or pandemics, without counting their own lives.

Often referred to as a noble profession, their mission transcends boundaries and also showcases profound human values rooted in compassion, dedication, and responsibility.

They play a significant role in building resilient, healthy societies and the world.

While there is no universally declared theme to mark the day, several campaigns are held focusing on the well-being and resilience of doctors, especially in the post-pandemic era.

World Doctors’ Day: History

World Doctors’ Day is the same as US National Doctors Day.

It was first observed in 1933 in Georgia and officially recognized in 1990 when George H. W. Bush signed it into law.

The first Doctors' Day was initiated by Eudora Brown Almond, wife of Dr. Charles B. Almond, and was adopted by the Barrow County Alliance.

The day was also observed to mark the anniversary of the first use of general anesthesia in surgery by Dr. Crawford W. Long in Jefferson, Georgia, in 1842.

The idea was then presented to the Georgia State Medical Alliance in 1933 by E. R. Harris of Winder, president of the Barrow County Alliance.

On May 10, 1934, the resolution was adopted at the annual state meeting in Augusta, Georgia.

Later, it was resolved by the Senate and House of Representatives of the US in Congress to designate March 30 as “National Doctors’ Day.”

The symbol for Doctors' Day is often the red carnation, chosen for its color that represents love, charity, and sacrifice — that highlights the profession.

The US reportedly has over 985,000 to 1 million practicing physicians.

World Doctors’ Day: Significance:

The day honors physicians' commitment, service, and contributions to healthcare, often highlighting their role in patient care. Their role is also in medical innovations that have given life to people across the globe.

It also highlights challenges faced by the physician community, like burnout, workforce shortages, and rising health demands.

Doctors are also overburdened with increasing patient load and staff shortages. Some also face workplace violence and safety concerns.

Notably, digital healthcare and evolving technologies have also added pressures and an additional burden to their practice.

Countries Celebrating World Doctors’ Day

World Doctors’ Day is celebrated on March 30 in the US, the UAE, and Australia.

India celebrates National Doctors’ Day on July 1, commemorating the birth and death anniversary of renowned physician Dr. Bidhan Chandra Roy.

China has become the world’s first country to approve a monoclonal antibody drug called Libevitug to treat hepatitis D — a severe, chronic liver disease.

The drug, which was rolled out at a Beijing hospital recently, was granted conditional approval by China's National Medical Products Administration in January 2026 following priority review, Science and Technology Daily reported.

Libevitug is a monoclonal antibody developed by a team from Tsinghua University and the Beijing-based biopharmaceutical company Huahui Health.

It works by blocking hepatitis B and D viruses from entering liver cells.

Clinical trials on Libevitug demonstrated significant efficacy in virological response and normalization of liver function, with particularly notable benefits for patients with cirrhosis.

What Is Hepatitis D? What Are The Key Symptoms?

Hepatitis D, or HDV, is different from the others—it can't infect the liver by itself. It only exists in those already infected with hepatitis B, employing the outer shell of the HBV virus to replicate.

When HBV and HDV infect the liver concurrently (a co-infection) or if HDV is contracted later on superimposition of pre-existing HBV (a superinfection), the immune system is twice assaulted. The liver has to cope with more intense inflammation, resulting in more rapid fibrosis progression and a much increased risk of cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.

In individuals with co-infection, liver injury is more severe, and complications arise years sooner than in HBV mono-infection. There are no specific therapies for HDV currently, and its management relies mostly on the control of hepatitis B.

It is also possible to prevent HBV infection and thereby hepatitis D by vaccination. Antiviral therapy and close follow-up can likewise decrease the chances of serious HDV complications in those already infected with HBV.

Simultaneous infection with HBV and HDV can lead to mild-to-severe hepatitis, with signs and symptoms typically appearing 3–7 weeks after initial infection and include:

• fever,
• fatigue,
• loss of appetite,
• nausea,
• vomiting,
• dark urine,
• pale-colored stools,
• jaundice (yellow eyes)
• fulminant hepatitis.

Also read: Hepatitis On Rise In India: What Is Causing It?

How Does Libevitug Work?

Of the over 254 million chronic hepatitis B carriers worldwide, approximately 5 percent are co-infected with the hepatitis D virus, and patients with co-infection have long lacked effective targeted therapies.

Clinical trials for the drug began in 2018, with an international multi-center study launched in 2023 among patients with chronic co-infection.

The drug previously received "Breakthrough Therapy Designation" from both the Center for Drug Evaluation (CDE) of the China NMPA and the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Also read: Hepatitis A To E: How Each Virus Affects Your Liver?

"Libevitug demonstrates outstanding clinical efficacy and significantly improves liver stiffness, with particularly remarkable efficacy in patients with HBV/HDV-related cirrhosis," stated Professor Niu Junqi, principal investigator of the Libevitug trial from the First Hospital of Jilin University.

"This drug aligns with the core objectives of China's Action Plan for the Prevention and Control of Viral Hepatitis (2025–2030), which aims to improve diagnosis and treatment rates for viral hepatitis and reduce the incidence of liver cancer and mortality," Junqi added.

Junqi noted that Libevitug is expected to effectively lower the risk of disease progression to advanced severe diseases such as liver cancer, drive the diagnosis and treatment of HDV in China, as well as advance the goal of eliminating viral hepatitis as a public health problem by 2030.

Amid the growing burden of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), India’s Union Ayush Ministry has launched yoga protocols that will target vulnerable groups with diabetes, high blood pressure, and asthma.

The “Yoga Protocol for Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) and Target Groups” is a significant push towards reshaping the country’s healthcare narrative from treatment to prevention, PTI reported.

NCDs such as diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular ailments, chronic respiratory conditions, and mental health disorders are increasing significantly in the country. These also account for about 60 percent of all deaths in the country, signaling a clear need to focus on preventing the lifestyle-driven illnesses.

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Prataprao Jadhav, Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) for Ayush, noted that prevention of these conditions is important for the better health of the nation, and yoga is India’s answer to the rising burden of lifestyle diseases.

“Through these evidence-based protocols, we are empowering every citizen to take charge of their own health and well-being in a simple, accessible, and sustainable manner. By integrating yoga into daily life, we aim to shift the focus from illness to wellness, reducing long-term healthcare pressures,” he said.

“This initiative reflects our commitment to building a healthier nation through holistic, preventive, and people-centric approaches rooted in India’s rich traditional knowledge,” the minister added.

What Are The Protocols?

It is part of the Yoga Mahotsav 2026, launched earlier this month by Union Ayush Minister Prataprao Jadhav, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO).

The protocols are designed as structured, evidence-based modules that integrate Yogic practices into daily life in a simple, accessible, and scalable manner.

The initiative has specific yoga interventions curated for major health conditions such as:

• diabetes — improving metabolic balance and glycemic control;
• hypertension — calming the nervous system and regulating blood pressure;
• bronchial asthma — strengthening respiratory capacity and improving lung function
• emotional well-being — breathing and meditation aimed at reducing stress, anxiety, and depression.

Further, it includes

• playful yoga modules for young children
• mental health-focused routines for adolescents,
• mobility-enhancing practices for the elderly
• specialized guidelines for women and pregnant mothers.

Yoga 365

The Ministry of Ayush has also launched Yoga 365 — a nationwide campaign to make yoga an integral part of citizens' daily lives — that goes beyond the International Day of Yoga (IDY), marked annually on June 21 worldwide.

According to the National Sample Survey (NSS), awareness of traditional systems like yoga stands at 95 percent in rural India and 96 percent in urban India.

The NSS also found that in around 1.1 crore households in rural India and around 1.4 crore households in urban India, at least one household member regularly practices yoga.

The Yoga 365 campaign aims to

• mobilize communities through mission-mode outreach,
• promote behavior change,
• integrate yoga into diverse spaces—from schools and offices to neighborhood groups and digital platforms.

The Morarji Desai National Institute of Yoga, under the Ministry of Ayush, has also signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the wellness platform Habuild to offer free daily online yoga sessions.