As we enter the thick of the U.S. winter virus season, the intensity of flu activity has reached alarming levels. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recently reported that this season is one of the most severe in the past 15 years, with flu-like symptoms causing an unprecedented spike in doctor’s office visits. According to the CDC, last week, the percentage of visits for flu-like symptoms was “clearly higher than the peak of any winter flu season since 2009-2010, when a swine flu pandemic hit the nation” (CNN, 2025).
In these challenging times, it is crucial for us to reflect on how our faith calls us to respond to sickness and the suffering of others. As a community, we are reminded to care for those in need, especially as flu season has caused schools in some areas to close. For instance, in Godley Independent School District, near Fort Worth, Texas, flu-related absences led to a three-day shutdown after 650 students and 60 staff were affected. Jeff Meador, a district spokesman, called it “the worst flu season he could remember” (CNN, 2025).
This season’s flu activity has been so intense that 43 states have reported “high or very high flu activity” (CNN, 2025). Doctors like Dr. Elizabeth Murray from the University of Rochester Medical Center in New York have noted that flu, RSV, and even COVID-19 continue to circulate with vigor. “All of the respiratory illnesses are around, with a vengeance,” she said (CNN, 2025).
As Catholics, we understand that illness is a part of the human condition. It serves as a reminder to us to turn to God in prayer, seeking comfort and healing. Our faith encourages us to care for one another during these times. The CDC estimates that so far this season, there have been at least “24 million flu illnesses, 310,000 hospitalizations, and 13,000 deaths — including at least 57 children” (CNN, 2025). These statistics remind us to be vigilant in protecting ourselves and others from harm, but also to pray for the souls of those affected by illness and their grieving families.
To avoid the spread of illness, health professionals recommend preventive measures such as handwashing, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, and refraining from touching our eyes, nose, and mouth. This advice aligns with the Catholic call to preserve the dignity of life and protect the vulnerable. We are reminded to take personal responsibility in safeguarding our health as well as the health of those around us.
The flu strains causing the majority of cases this year are Type A H1N1 and Type A H3N2, while a less common strain, Type A H5N1 (bird flu), is also being monitored. Although the bird flu strain has primarily affected animals, there have been a few human cases. This highlights the ongoing need for vigilance in the face of evolving pathogens.
The CDC continues to recommend that everyone aged 6 months and older receive the annual flu vaccine to protect against seasonal illnesses. While approximately 44% of adults have gotten the flu shot this winter, vaccination rates for children have decreased, with only 45% of children being vaccinated compared to previous years (CNN, 2025). In our Catholic communities, this call to vaccinate is not just a health measure but a responsibility to protect the most vulnerable, especially the elderly, children, and those with weakened immune systems.
As we navigate this difficult season, let us remember the importance of caring for those who are sick and supporting one another in faith. In times of illness, the Catholic community comes together in prayer, asking for God’s healing and strength. We are reminded to reach out to those in need, to pray for the sick, and to care for those who are most vulnerable in our communities. May our actions reflect the love of Christ as we help to heal both body and soul.
Let us also continue to pray for the souls of those who have lost their lives to this virus, asking for God’s mercy and eternal peace. We can find strength in the words of St. Therese of Lisieux, who said, “I will spend my heaven doing good on earth.” May we also spend our earthly days showing kindness, support, and love for those affected by this flu season.
