New Hampshire Faces Severe Flu Season with High Hospitalization Rates

Statewide hospital data from the New Hampshire Hospital Association indicated that from December to February, inpatient occupancy rates reached near 100 percent.

New Hampshire's flu season for 2025-26 has emerged as one of the most lethal in the state's recent history, with at least 73 fatalities attributed to influenza-related complications, according to the state's Department of Health and Human Services. This toll surpasses the previous year’s total of 71 deaths, highlighting the troubling trend that has persisted as New Hampshire has monitored flu-related deaths for three decades. Typically, the flu season spans from October to May, as recognized by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

In Cheshire County, at least one influenza-related death was recorded, alongside other severe cases that stressed local healthcare facilities. Monadnock Community Hospital in Peterborough reported a surge in visits related to respiratory diseases, according to Chief Medical Officer Daniel Perli. He indicated that this season marked the highest hospitalization rates due to respiratory illnesses observed over the past three years at the 25-bed hospital.

Statewide hospital data from the New Hampshire Hospital Association indicated that from December to February, inpatient occupancy rates reached near 100 percent, leading to a severe shortage of available hospital beds. This overwhelming demand has underscored the impact of flu season on healthcare infrastructure.

Various factors contributed to the increased severity of this season's outbreak. Notably, health experts identified a variant of the H3N2 subtype of Influenza A, known as Subclade K, as a key catalyst for the heightened flu activity. This particular variant has shown significant mutations, complicating the effectiveness of the flu vaccine. Health professionals expressed concerns about the diminished capacity at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to respond to the evolving virus due to recent staffing cuts implemented by the previous administration.

The 2025-26 flu season also saw an earlier onset, with patients arriving in hospitals as early as October and November, a time typically reserved for later flu cases. Perli noted that while severe cases predominantly involved older individuals, the hospital's pediatric unit was also notably busy this year.

The data reveals that among the fatalities statewide were two children, demonstrating the season's toll on all age groups. In addition to influenza A, hospitals also encountered cases of respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and continued presence of COVID-19. Cheshire Medical Center's infection preventionist Erin Patnode observed a similar pattern to the previous flu season, with lower instances of COVID-19 compared to influenza.

Monitoring efforts at Keene's wastewater treatment facility indicated rising COVID-19 levels in late 2025, although these figures were lower than during the same timeframe in the preceding flu season. Meanwhile, Cheshire County EMS Chief Mark Kreamer reported an uptick in emergency calls related to respiratory conditions, expressing the challenge in differentiating between flu, COVID-19, pneumonia, and RSV cases before hospital admission.

Westmoreland's Maplewood Nursing Home successfully circumvented an outbreak among its staff despite some employees being ill with the flu, as stated by Administrator Kathryn Kindopp. The facility's proactive measures included contact tracing efforts and increased flu vaccination rates among staff, rising from 30 to 50 percent compared to the previous year.

Throughout the flu season, hospital staff implemented precautionary measures such as mask-wearing and educating visitors about the risks of visiting in ill health to safeguard vulnerable residents.