Texas is experiencing a significant surge in flu-like illnesses, with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention ranking the state at a “VERY HIGH” level in its latest nationwide update. Health officials say the rise comes as flu activity increases across much of the country and may worsen in the weeks ahead.
Cases Rising Ahead of Post-Holiday Impact
According to the CDC, December has brought a steady climb in flu cases nationwide, and experts caution the peak may still be coming. Houston Health Department Director Dr. Theresa Tran said the full impact of Christmas and holiday gatherings has likely not yet appeared in the data.
More than half of U.S. states are now reporting high or very high flu levels, based on the CDC’s most recent flu activity map.
National Numbers Show Sharp Increase
So far this flu season, the CDC estimates at least 7.5 million illnesses, 81,000 hospitalizations, and 3,100 deaths across the United States. More than 25 percent of flu tests nationwide are returning positive results, a notable jump from 16 percent in mid-December and just eight percent the week before that.
Many of the confirmed cases are tied to a newer flu strain known as subclade K, identified through thousands of samples submitted to the CDC.
Texas Positivity Rate Outpaces National Average
Flu test positivity rates in Texas are even higher than the national average. About a week ago, roughly 32 percent of flu tests in the state came back positive—nearly double the rate from the previous week and more than triple compared to two weeks earlier.
“This year, the trend is slightly higher than last year,” Tran said, adding that she expects cases to continue rising.
Schools and Wastewater Testing Show Spread
The increase is also being detected in schools. The Houston Health Department’s wastewater testing at Houston ISD campuses showed positive flu samples in four schools about a month ago. That number climbed to ten schools just before students left for winter break.
Tran urged schools to promote flu vaccination among students, teachers, and staff to help curb transmission.
Vaccination Still Recommended
CDC experts stress that getting the flu vaccine can still reduce the risk of severe illness, hospitalization, and death. While vaccination is recommended annually for everyone six months and older, officials note it can take up to two weeks for full protection to develop, making earlier vaccination important as cases continue to rise.
For more health advice and trends, stay tuned to Que Onda Magazine.