Is Flu Going Around in New Jersey This Week?
Last updated:
of outpatient visits for flu-like illness
Week ending May 23, 2026
Yes, flu is still going around in New Jersey, but the current CDC ILINet signal is moderate: 2.5% of outpatient visits were for flu-like illness for the week ending May 23, 2026, and the trend is decreasing (down from 3.1% last week).
Season context: 2.5% is down from 12.5% at the season peak for the week ending Dec 27, 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 New Jersey is currently MODERATE, with 2.5% of outpatient visits for flu-like illness.
- 2 Activity has been trending downward over recent weeks.
- 3 New Jersey 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 New Jersey, not to diagnose an individual illness.
New Jersey Flu Trend — 2025-2026 Season
ILI = influenza-like illness. Percentage of outpatient visits for ILI symptoms.
Is Flu Getting Better or Worse in New Jersey?
Flu appears to be declining in New Jersey
Flu activity is most likely decreasing, though there's some uncertainty. The overall trend points toward improvement in the coming weeks.
Technical details (CDC Rt estimate)
Reproduction number (Rt): 0.96 (95% CI: 0.81 – 1.08)
Probability of growth: 21%
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
New Jersey vs. National Average and Nearby States
Nearby States
| State | Activity Level | ILI % |
|---|---|---|
| Not reported | — | |
| Low | 0.9% | |
| Low | 0.4% |
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 New Jersey
Best Next Clicks for New Jersey
Useful next questions
Questions worth opening from the New Jersey 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.
Flu Trend Question
What Does Decreasing Flu Activity Mean?
A plain-English explanation of the decreasing flu trend label, built to help users read state flu pages without mistaking easing activity for zero risk.
Cities in New Jersey
Health snapshots available for these New Jersey cities:
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the flu going around in New Jersey right now?
Based on the latest CDC data, flu activity in New Jersey is currently moderate. 2.5% 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 New Jersey?
New Jersey's current influenza-like illness (ILI) rate is 2.5%, 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 New Jersey flu activity compare to the national average?
New Jersey's flu activity is 0.9 percentage points above the national average. The nearby states table shows how New Jersey ranks regionally.
What does the flu activity level mean for New Jersey?
The activity level indicates how much flu-like illness is being reported in New Jersey 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 New Jersey?
Based on the CDC's reproduction number (Rt) estimate, flu in New Jersey is likely declining with an Rt of 0.96. This means each flu case is generating fewer than one new case on average, so activity should continue to decrease. There is a 21% 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.