A record-breaking influenza outbreak is placing immense strain on Colorado's healthcare system, with doctors' visits for flu-like illness hitting a 30-year high. According to the latest data from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Colorado is among the top five states for flu activity nationwide.
A Season Like No Other: The 'Super Flu' Surge
In the week ending 27 December 2025, 831 people were hospitalised with influenza in Colorado – the highest number since the state began tracking cases two decades ago. While hospitalisations eased slightly to 737 the following week, they remain significantly higher than in previous years.
Dr Jean Hoffman, an Associate Professor of Emergency Medicine at the University of Colorado Anschutz Medical Campus, states that in her 18-year career, this season ranks among the worst. "Our emergency department hit a record number of single-day total visits over the holidays, and visit volumes have stayed high," she reports. Flu is a primary driver of this unprecedented trend.
This year's dominant strain, dubbed a 'super flu' by some, is distinguished by its rapid onset, high contagion level, and unusually severe symptoms. Beyond the typical fever, body aches, and cough, this virus is causing significant vomiting and diarrhoea, leaving patients feeling profoundly unwell and more likely to seek emergency care.
Who is Most at Risk and When to Seek Help
The surge in emergency departments is fuelled by two key groups. The first comprises otherwise healthy individuals who are seeking relief from the debilitating gastrointestinal symptoms accompanying this flu strain. The second, and more clinically vulnerable, group includes those with severe flu manifestations or underlying conditions like asthma, heart disease, or diabetes, where influenza can trigger dangerous complications.
Eight paediatric deaths have been reported across the US this season, all involving unvaccinated children with underlying health conditions. While young adults are reporting severe symptoms, complications in this age group remain less common. As with most flu seasons, older adults and those with comorbidities face the highest risk of hospitalisation, often requiring oxygen support.
Dr Hoffman advises that anyone experiencing difficulty breathing, severe chest pain, or abnormal headaches should seek immediate medical care. For healthy individuals with manageable symptoms – including body aches, fever, cough, and the gastrointestinal effects – the best treatment remains rest, hydration, and staying home to avoid spreading the virus.
The Vital Role of Vaccination and Testing
Despite the intense season, getting the annual flu vaccine is still strongly encouraged, particularly for those with medical problems. "It helps with the severity of disease, even if it doesn't provide total protection," Dr Hoffman emphasises, noting it can reduce symptom duration and the risk of hospitalisation.
On the question of testing, the physician highlights that for young, healthy patients with mild symptoms, identifying the specific virus often doesn't change treatment. Instead, wastewater surveillance has become a crucial tool. Current samples in Colorado show extraordinarily high levels of flu virus, with much lower levels of RSV and COVID-19, providing a reliable community-wide picture.
This approach also helps alleviate pressure on overburdened hospital laboratories. Judicious use of clinical testing ensures resources are available for other critical diagnoses and prevents backlogs that delay care across the health system.
