Multiple US states are seeing 'skyrocketing' cases of a new 'super flu' strain weeks earlier than expected, health officials warn. 

CDC figures dated December 6, the latest available, show 'very high' transmission of influenza in New York City, with 'high' activity in surrounding New Jersey and New York state. 

The data also shows Colorado and Louisiana are reporting 'high' levels, with 'moderate' activity in Idaho and Connecticut.

The surges, which come weeks ahead of typical holiday spikes, are thought to be largely driven by the dangerous new flu strain H3N2 subclade K, which is on the rise in more than three dozen states. 

New York City's acting health commissioner Dr Michelle Morse said the city's cases are 'skyrocketing' and urged residents to get their annual flu shots and to wear a mask if symptoms develop. 

Poly Prep Country Day School, a private school in Brooklyn, closed for two days last week after at least 200 students were absent or sent home with the flu or flu-like symptoms, according to Jennifer Slomack, the school's senior director of engagement and communications. 

In Texas, health officials reported the week ending December 6 was the third in a row to surpass 5,000 hospital and clinic visits, double the amount of last year. 

The Texas Health department also reported that during the week ending December 6, 7.4 per 100,000 people over age 65 in Texas were hospitalized compared to 2.2 per 100,000 last month. 

The Hawaii Department of Health also reported an increase in 911 calls for respiratory-related and flu-like symptoms.

Garrett Hall, the department’s acting state EMS Chief, said in a video statement that responders recorded 332 respiratory-related encounters for the week ending in December 4, a roughly 45 percent increase compared to June. 

Earlier this month, Hackensack Meridian Health and RWJ Barnabas Health of New Jersey reinstated masking protocols for patients, visitors and healthcare workers. 

Additionally, earlier this month Detroit Medical Center restricted visitor access to protect patients and staff from the spreading virus. New guidelines limit guest numbers, visitors under 12 and anyone 13 and up who is currently sick.

Villa Duchesne Catholic School in St Louis, Missouri, and Moulton-Udell school district in Iowa were also forced to shut down and cancel classes for several days due to high flu rates. 

This year’s dominant flu strain is brand new to people’s immune systems, making them highly vulnerable and at an increased risk of severe, hospitalizing illness.

Nationwide, 8.1 percent of flu tests were positive during the week of December 6, up from 7.1 percent the week before. The rate of outpatient respiratory illness is also up from 2.9 percent to 3.2 percent.

About 3million have contracted the illness so far. There have been 1,200 deaths from the flu this season. 

Additionally, the latest CDC data shows an influenza hospitalization rate of 6.9 per 100,000 people nationwide compared to 4.3 per 100,000 the week before. 

At this time last year, 5.1 percent of tests came back positive, and the hospitalization rate was 3.1 per 100,000. The disease typically peaks between December and February after winter holidays.

CDC officials said in the agency's latest report: 'Seasonal influenza activity continues to increase in most areas of the country. Some indicators are elevated but severity indicators remain low and flu season is just starting.'

The symptoms and severity of subclade K appear similar to those of a regular seasonal flu, which can still be debilitating and disrupt children’s education and people’s work. 

Public health officials are urging people to keep watch for typical flu symptoms, which tend to come on abruptly, including fever, fatigue, chills, headache, body aches, congestion, runny nose and coughing.

The flu virus's unpredictability and rapid mutation make it unclear whether H3N2 will remain the dominant strain or become more severe. 

Influenza A, which accounts for three in four flu cases, can best be prevented with the seasonal flu vaccine, which tends to be about 40 to 60 percent effective.