Influenza has been on the rise in North Carolina with 39 flu-related deaths reported in the state, including at least one pediatric death, so far in the 2025-26 flu season.
According to data from the N.C. Department of Health and Human Services dashboard, flu cases have been rising since early December. From Nov. 29 to Dec. 27 emergency room visits from flu-like symptoms jumped from 2.3% to 16.5% of all emergency room visits and from 175 to 2,000 hospitalizations.
Region Six, which includes Macon County, reported 10.8% of emergency department visits to be flu-related as of Dec. 27, already topping the 9.6% peak from the last flu outbreak from January through March 2025. The region currently has the lowest percentage of all regions in the state, but all regions’ percentages are rising at comparable rates.
Wastewater monitoring, in which the presence of respiratory viruses in wastewater can indicate the risk of infection in a region, shows a clear upward trend in the region, with the Tuckaseigee Wastewater Treatment Plant in Sylva finding 10 million viral gene copies per person as of its last reporting date on Dec. 23. The 10 million number is comparable to some of the reporting coming from the same facility during last year’s outbreak, though the facility also saw reports as high as 51 million between Jan. 14 and Feb. 4.
On Dec. 17, DHHS reported the first pediatric influenza-related death in Western North Carolina. The department urges residents to get vaccinated and vaccinate their children, especially those under age five and those with chronic health conditions like asthma, diabetes or a weakened immune system.
Statewide, 20.56% of individuals are vaccinated; in Macon County 11.7% of the county’s population is immunized against influenza.
Impact
The high rate of flu cases in Western North Carolina caused Mission Health to implement temporary restrictions on visitation for all its hospitals, including Angel Medical Center, on Dec. 31, 2025. Only two visitors will be allowed per patient and no children under the age of 13 will be permitted to visit patients. End-of-life and pediatric patients may be considered for exception.
“We understand these restrictions may pose a hardship for some, but our utmost concern is for the health and safety of our patients and our entire community, and we implement restrictions only when absolutely necessary,” stated a press release from Mission Health. Mission Health recommended those with flu symptoms stay home, cover coughs and sneezes and wash their hands frequently.
Macon County Schools Public Information Officer Renee Burt said all schools saw an attendance rate above 90% on Dec. 16, except for Mountain View Intermediate, which saw 87% and 84% rates for its fifth and sixth grade classes respectively. Burt said the numbers are average for this time of year, saying the system typically sees increased absences, usually assumed to be caused by sickness. Schools dismissed for the Christmas break on Dec. 19 with students returning to school on Jan. 6.
Prevention
In addition to vaccination, NCDHHS recommends a set of preventative actions to avoid contracting the influenza virus. It advises individuals regularly and frequently wash their hands with soap and water, avoid touching their faces, clean and disinfect surfaces, cover coughs and sneezes and stay at home when sick (not including doctor visits) and avoid other household residents when possible.
Soon after symptoms begin, patients should contact their doctors for treatment options.