Is Flu Going Around in District of Columbia This Week?
Last updated:
of outpatient visits for flu-like illness
Week ending May 23, 2026
Yes, flu is still going around in District of Columbia, but the current CDC ILINet signal is moderate: 2.4% of outpatient visits were for flu-like illness for the week ending May 23, 2026, and the trend is stable (similar to 2.9% last week).
Season context: 2.4% is down from 9.2% at the season peak for the week ending Dec 20, 2025.
If this statewide CDC number does not match what people around you are feeling, read why flu surveillance and local experience can differ.
Key Takeaways
- 1 Flu activity in District of Columbia is currently MODERATE, with 2.4% of outpatient visits for flu-like illness.
- 2 Activity has been relatively stable over recent weeks.
- 3 District of Columbia flu activity is above the national average of 1.6%.
CDC Recommendations at This Level
Flu is circulating — take everyday precautions
- • Wash hands frequently, especially before eating and after public spaces
- • Stay home if you develop fever, cough, or body aches — you're most contagious in the first 3-4 days
- • The CDC recommends getting a flu shot if you haven't yet — it's not too late
- • Consider a mask in crowded indoor spaces if you're high-risk or caring for someone who is
This is general public health guidance based on CDC recommendations — not personal medical advice. Talk to your healthcare provider about what's right for you and your family.
Source and context
How this page is built
Source
Updated
May 29, 2026
Coverage
Statewide outpatient surveillance through CDC ILINet
Best For
Tracking whether flu-like illness is rising, falling, or unusually high
ILI is a surveillance signal, not a lab-confirmed flu count. Use this page to understand trend direction and relative intensity in District of Columbia, not to diagnose an individual illness.
District of Columbia Flu Trend — 2025-2026 Season
ILI = influenza-like illness. Percentage of outpatient visits for ILI symptoms.
Is Flu Getting Better or Worse in District of Columbia?
Flu may be increasing in District of Columbia
There are signs that flu activity could be on the rise. This doesn't mean a surge is certain, but it's worth paying attention to in the coming weeks.
Technical details (CDC Rt estimate)
Reproduction number (Rt): 1.05 (95% CI: 0.95 – 1.26)
Probability of growth: 87%
Rt below 1.0 means each case leads to fewer new cases (declining). Above 1.0 means growing.
Based on CDC forecasting data as of March 31, 2026. Source
District of Columbia vs. National Average and Nearby States
Nearby States
Sources & Methods
ILI (influenza-like illness) is defined as fever plus cough or sore throat. Data reflects the percentage of outpatient visits for ILI reported through the CDC's ILINet surveillance network. Activity levels are computed from ILI percentage thresholds. Learn more about our methods .
More Health Data for District of Columbia
Best Next Clicks for District of Columbia
Useful next questions
Questions worth opening from the District of Columbia flu page
These are the best next clicks when someone lands here from search and needs either a local routing answer, a broader flu ranking view, or a page to send onward.
Flu Ranking Question
Which States Have the Worst Flu Right Now?
A quick ranking of the hottest current flu states, plus direct links into the state pages that matter most this week.
Local Flu Question
Is Flu Bad Near Me Right Now?
A local flu routing page for “near me” searches, with a built-in flu finder and direct links into the strongest state flu pages.
Sharing Question
What Page Should I Send Someone Who Asks What’s Going Around?
A utility page for sharing the right LHS link the first time instead of sending a random dashboard or article.
Cities in District of Columbia
Health snapshots available for these District of Columbia cities:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the flu going around in District of Columbia right now?
Based on the latest CDC data, flu activity in District of Columbia is currently moderate. 2.4% of outpatient visits are for flu-like illness. This data is updated weekly from the CDC's ILINet surveillance network.
What are current flu levels in District of Columbia?
District of Columbia's current influenza-like illness (ILI) rate is 2.4%, classified as moderate activity. ILI measures the percentage of outpatient visits where patients present with fever plus cough or sore throat — the standard CDC metric for flu surveillance across all 50 states.
How does District of Columbia flu activity compare to the national average?
District of Columbia's flu activity is 0.8 percentage points above the national average. The nearby states table shows how District of Columbia ranks regionally.
What does the flu activity level mean for District of Columbia?
The activity level indicates how much flu-like illness is being reported in District of Columbia compared to typical levels. "High" means more people are visiting doctors with flu symptoms than usual. It does not indicate the severity of the flu viruses circulating.
Where does this flu data come from?
This data comes from the CDC's ILINet (Influenza-like Illness Surveillance Network), accessed via the Delphi Epidata API. ILINet includes reports from thousands of healthcare providers in participating states who track the percentage of patient visits for flu-like symptoms each week.
How often is this page updated?
This page is updated weekly, typically on Fridays after the CDC publishes new FluView data. The data usually reflects activity from the previous week, so there is a one-to-two week delay between when illness occurs and when it appears here.
Is flu getting better or worse in District of Columbia?
Based on the CDC's reproduction number (Rt) estimate, flu in District of Columbia is likely growing with an Rt of 1.05. This means each flu case may be generating more than one new case, so activity could increase. There is a 87% probability that flu is growing.
Local Health Signal is not affiliated with the CDC or any government agency. Data is provided for informational purposes only and is not intended for clinical decision making. See our methods page for details on data sources and limitations.