Quick Summary:
- Current Status: Influenza activity in Addison/DuPage County is categorized as “High and Increasing” for February 2026.
- School Impact: No active clusters of flu-related absenteeism are currently reported in Addison schools.
- Dominant Strain: Influenza A(H3N2) is the primary strain, with a recent rise in Influenza B cases.
- Key Policy: Students must be fever-free for 24 hours without medication before returning to class.
- Medical Review: This report has been verified for clinical accuracy by Dr. Mirza A. Baig, MD.
Reviewed by Dr. Mirza A. Baig MD
Dr. Mirza A. Baig is a family medicine doctor in Addison, Illinois and is affiliated with multiple hospitals in the area, including Loyola University Medical Center and Resurrection Medical Center. Certified by:
- American Board of Family Medicine (ABMS®): Certified in Family Medicine
- American Board of Psychiatry and Neurology (ABMS®): Certified in Psychiatry
Recent data for February 2026 suggests that while flu activity in the Addison, Illinois area (DuPage County) remains elevated, there are currently no reported clusters of increased absenteeism specifically attributed to influenza-like illness (ILI) in schools.
Here are the specific details from the latest health surveillance:
Local Trends (Addison/DuPage County)
- School Absenteeism: As of the report for the week ending February 7, 2026, the DuPage County Health Department noted that no new clusters of ILI-related absenteeism were reported in local schools. The provisional total for the entire 2025–2026 season stands at four clusters.
- Community Activity: Influenza activity is categorized as High and Increasing across the county. There have been 92 flu-associated ICU admissions this season, but notably, zero pediatric deaths have been reported in DuPage County.
- Viral Strains: Influenza A(H3N2) remains the most frequently reported strain, though health officials are beginning to see a slight uptick in Influenza B cases, which often affects school-aged children (5–17 years) more prominently as the season progresses.
School Health Policies
Districts in the Addison area, such as Addison Northwest School District, maintain strict illness protocols to manage outbreaks:
- Fever Rule: Students must stay home until they are fever-free (less than 100.4°F) for at least 24 hours without the use of medication.
- Symptom Guidance: Students are expected to stay home if they have a persistent cough that disrupts normal activity or any other symptoms that impede their ability to learn.
National Context
Nationally, health experts have observed a “second peak” in flu activity this February, similar to trends seen in previous years. This rebound is largely driven by Influenza B and a specific subclade of Influenza A (subclade K), which has been particularly prevalent in the pediatric age group this season.
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Sources
- Addison Northwest School District. (n.d.). Health services: Illness protocols. https://www.anwsd.org/departments/health-services
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. (2026, February). Weekly U.S. influenza surveillance report: FluView. https://www.cdc.gov/fluview/surveillance/2026-week-01.html
- DuPage County Health Department. (2026, February 13). Week 5 respiratory illness surveillance report. https://www.dupagehealth.org/DocumentCenter/View/11019/Week-5-Respiratory-Illness-Surveillance-Report—February-13-2026-PDF
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