Super Flu Strain Hits Phoenix Area Hard

Valley Hospitals Swamped as Flu Season Hits Hard

If you've been feeling under the weather lately, you're definitely not alone. Phoenix-area hospitals are facing a serious crunch as seasonal flu and respiratory viruses sweep through the Valley with a vengeance this January.

Banner Health, Dignity Health, and Valleywise Health are all reporting significant surges in patients seeking treatment. The situation has become so intense that one nurse said they haven't seen anything like it since COVID. At some facilities, patients are doubling up in rooms while staff from Prescott are being called down to help handle the overflow.

Dr. Nick Staab with Maricopa County Public Health says the first wave has already peaked, but there's more coming. A second surge of influenza B is expected within weeks, and it tends to hit younger people and children harder.

This season's culprit? A mutation called subclade K has been driving what many are calling a super flu, making this the highest flu activity the nation has seen in 25 years. Arizona has recorded over 30,000 cases since October, with Maricopa County seeing a 35 percent increase in just one week earlier this month.

Emergency rooms across the Valley are feeling the strain. Dr. Michael White at Valleywise Health says capacity challenges are affecting all hospitals in the county, with patients waiting for available beds.

The good news? It's not too late to get vaccinated. Even though this year's shot isn't a perfect match for the circulating strains, doctors say it can still reduce your chances of severe illness and hospitalization by 30 to 40 percent.

Health officials recommend staying home when sick, washing hands frequently, and masking up in crowded spaces. If you're experiencing trouble breathing, persistent fever, or confusion, seek medical attention immediately.

Sources: AZ Family | Fox 10 Phoenix | 12 News | Axios Phoenix | CDC