Is Flu Going Around in Massachusetts Right Now?
Last updated:
of outpatient visits for flu-like illness
Week ending Aug 22, 2026
Yes, flu is still going around in Massachusetts, but the latest CDC ILINet signal is low: 0.6% of outpatient visits were for flu-like illness for the week ending Aug 22, 2026, and the trend is stable (similar to 0.6% last week).
Season context: 0.6% is down from 12.3% at the season peak for the week ending Dec 27, 2025.
Stable trend: Stable means the CDC ILINet share is roughly unchanged from last week; pair it with the current low level and week-ending date instead of reading it as an all-clear.
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
- 1Flu activity in Massachusetts is currently LOW, with 0.6% of outpatient visits for flu-like illness.
- 2Activity has been relatively stable over recent weeks.
- 3Massachusetts flu activity is below the national average of 1.1%.
Practical Steps for This Signal
Flu activity is low — good time to prepare
- •Stay up to date with seasonal flu vaccination based on current CDC guidance
- •Keep everyday prevention habits in place: wash hands, cover coughs, and improve indoor air when practical
- •Stay home if you become sick, and use added precautions around others as you recover
These general steps pair Local Health Signal's interpretation of the reported public-health signal with CDC prevention guidance. They are not a personal risk assessment or 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
Aug 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 Massachusetts, not to diagnose an individual illness.
Massachusetts Flu Trend — 2025-2026 Season
ILI = influenza-like illness. Percentage of outpatient visits for ILI symptoms.
Massachusetts vs. National Average and Nearby States
Nearby States
| State | Activity Level | ILI % |
|---|---|---|
| Not reported | — | |
| Not reported | — | |
| Low | 0.6% | |
| Low | 0.2% | |
| Low | 0.5% |
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 Massachusetts
Best Next Clicks for Massachusetts
Useful next questions
Questions worth opening from the Massachusetts flu page
Use these pages when you need a local flu answer, a state-by-state comparison, or a page to share.
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 practical page for sharing the right Local Health Signal link the first time.
Cities in Massachusetts
Health snapshots available for these Massachusetts cities:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the flu going around in Massachusetts right now?
Based on the latest CDC data, flu activity in Massachusetts is currently low. 0.6% 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 Massachusetts?
Massachusetts's current influenza-like illness (ILI) rate is 0.6%, classified as low activity. ILI measures the percentage of outpatient visits where patients present with fever plus cough or sore throat — the standard CDC metric for participating jurisdictions.
How does Massachusetts flu activity compare to the national average?
Massachusetts's flu activity is 0.5 percentage points below the national average. The nearby states table shows how Massachusetts ranks regionally.
What does the flu activity level mean for Massachusetts?
The activity level indicates how much flu-like illness is being reported in Massachusetts 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.
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.