‘Very high’ level of flu cases in Ga.

The flu is kicking Georgia’s butt.

According to Melissa Brantley, program manager and public information officer for the South Central Health District, the Georgia Flu Surveillance Report showed that the state flu activity was “very high” during the final week of 2025. 

“It was 13 on a scale of 1 to 13,” Brantley said. “That activity level is based on the percent of outpatient visits in Georgia due to influenza-like illness during that period. We would like to see that number come down.”

There is a concern that the number of flu cases rose this high without students being in school. As of this week, schools have reopened and people have returned to work.  

“Now that we are back, what will it mean? This means people need to be extra vigilant with protecting themselves, especially those who already have compromised immune systems,” Brantley said.  

Dr. Thomas Craft, who serves as the District Health Director of the South Central Health District, said the situation was so bad that the Georgia Department of Public Health released a statement about the severity of flu activity throughout Georgia. 

“So far, the national numbers of flu cases have already passed the total number for last year,” Craft said. “Last year was the worst flu outbreak we’ve had in 15 years or so. We are seeing real significant numbers nationwide. On a per capita basis, Georgia was the highest of all the states.”

When it comes to limiting the flu, officials ask people to wash their hands with soap and warm water or use an alcohol-based hand gel. Other tips from health experts include the recommendation of coughing or sneezing into the crook of the elbow or arm, and to avoid touching the face because flu germs can get into the body through the mucus membranes of the nose, mouth and eyes. 

“Of course, stay home if you aren’t feeling well so that you don’t spread your illness,” Brantley said. 

Officials say those with the flu should be free of a fever, without the use of a fever reducer, for at least 24 hours before returning to school or work. If a person is caring for a sick individual at home, keep them away from common areas of the house and other people as much as possible.

 “Try to avoid close contact with others if you are feeling bad,” Craft said. “Don’t share drinking glasses, utensils and those kind of things. Keep a safe distance.” 

Flu symptoms and their severity vary from person to person, and can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headache, chills and fatigue. Some people are at higher risk of developing serious complications. This includes those 65 years and older, people of any age with certain chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes, or heart disease, pregnant women and children younger than 5, but especially those younger than 2 years old.

Those who had not received a flu shot yet, and have no medical conditions preventing them from doing so, are encouraged to gain the health benefits the flu vaccine provides. The vaccine is available at public health departments, doctors’ offices, grocery stores, neighborhood clinics and pharmacies. 

Craft “strongly recommends” getting the flu vaccine.

“It’s the best way to either prevent or decrease the severity of the flu if you should get it,” he said. “The flu vaccine is not a guarantee that you are not going to get influenza, but as long as you’ve had (the vaccine) at least two weeks before you get influenza, it should make a drastic difference in how bad the flu is.” 

For more information about flu and how to stop it, go to dph.ga.gov/flu. To monitor Georgia’s weekly influenza reports, which are normally updated on Fridays, visit dph.georgia.gov/flu-activity-georgia.