With five deaths reported thursday in the region, the flu season is raging in houston yet weeks away from its peak, according to local experts. Because getting the flu is easy, but getting the shot is even easier. Influenza a is the most common type of flu circulating in travis county. For those are not eligible to receive the vaccine infants under 6 months old or those with certain allergies and medical conditions other people in their household can still help reduce the risk by getting vaccinated, said dr. The most recent flu surveillance report shows widespread flu activity in texas and high levels of influenzalike illness. Influenza a h3n2 viruses are most common and are associated with more severe illness.
Cdc recommends a yearly flu vaccine for everyone 6 months of age and older as the first and most important step in protecting against this serious disease. Flu continues to be widespread across the united states and the season is on track to be one of the most severe since 2014 2015, when 34 million people were sickened by. The 2015 2016 influenza season began on october 4, 2015. The season occurs during the cold half of the year in each hemisphere. The official flu season began on september 29, 2019.
The exact timing and duration of flu seasons can vary, but influenza activity often begins to increase in october. The united states is experiencing an elevated level of flu activity that is expected to continue in the coming weeks. We urge everyone six months old and older to get vaccinated every flu season. Flu season is all in our heads, texas televangelist says. The centers for disease control and prevention cdc reports that confirmed flu activity continues to decrease. Influenza a virus subtype h3n2 ah3n2 is a subtype of viruses that causes influenza flu.
In that year, the centers for disease control and prevention estimates, 34 million americans got the flu, 710,000 were. The current extended texas influenza surveillance report is available in pdf. Intense flu season strains houstonarea care centers. It wont be long before experts in the united states and overseas will meet again to decide what flu strains manufacturers should target in their vaccines for the 2015 2016 flu season. During the season, influenza activity was low through december, started to increase in january and. The 2014 2015 flu season is shaping up to be severe. Antiviral medications are an important adjunct to flu vaccine in the control of influenza. Subtype, and lineage reported by texas laboratories, 20152016 season. In all states except hawaii and oregon, the distribution of influenza was indicated as widespread, including 32 states that had high flu activity.
Simon said the sharp uptick in flu cases this early could mean this years. The 202014 influenza season began on september 29, 20 and went through september 27, 2014. Cdc says flu season getting worse cbs dallas fort worth. Statewide, texas flu related death rate this season was 32. Flu season nearing end, but 20 states report highest level.
H3n2 is a subtype of the viral genus influenzavirus a. Basic weekly view basic daily view detail weekly view detail daily view tests performed at houston methodist emergency departments and outpatient clinics are counted with the associated hospital. Nasty strain of flu grips houston early houston chronicle. So far, the 20192020 flu season s main culprit, influenza bvictoria, has been surprising and. When it starts, when it ends, which strain will hit the hardest. It will usually end by april, but in some years it can linger into may.
All told, texas flurelated death rate this season was 32. Texas department of state health services cdc lineage testing influenza a h3n2. Jan 26, 2018 it is now on track to equal or surpass that of the 2014 2015 flu season. Because strains can change quickly, the vaccine is not always a. This somewhat mirrored what was seen at the national level. Influenza activity can sometimes be predicted and even tracked geographically. Cdc estimates that so far this season there have been at least 34 million flu illnesses, 350,000 hospitalizations and 20,000 deaths from flu. Going by the calendar, flu season should be winding down. The 20192020 influenza season began on september 29, 2019. Tarrant county reports 1st pediatric flu death since 2015. The last time h3n2 circulated in texas, 2014 2015, there were 19 pediatric deaths, according to the.
While seasonal influenza flu viruses are detected yearround in the united states, flu viruses are most common during the fall and winter. The 20172018 flu season was severe for all us populations and resulted in an estimated 959,000 hospitalizations and 61,099 deaths. Inoculate yourself with the word of god gloria copelands prescription for avoiding the flu is to tell yourself that you won. March 27 upi the flu has taken a backseat to covid19 in the minds of americans, particularly as the winter season winds down, but its effects are still being felt, according to a report. At least 1,300 people have died from the flu so far this season, according to a preliminary estimate released friday by the us centers for disease control and prevention. According to the cdc, flu vaccines are updated to better match viruses expected to be circulating in the united states. The flu is especially hard on older adults and small children, so keep your family protected. Julie boom, director of the immunization project at texas childrens hospital, provides an update on the 201415 flu season. Flu vaccines have been updated to better match circulating viruses. Get vaccinated to protect yourself texas health and human services texans can dial 211 option 6 for information on covid19 and local community resources on health care, utilities, food, housing and more.
Jan 09, 20 nasty strain of flu grips houston early. Flu season is here early this year and doctors dont know. This is the highest number of patient claims since the 2009 flu season. Texas influenza summary report, 20152016 influenza season. Almost all 99% of the influenza viruses tested this season are susceptible to the four fdaapproved influenza. Information about the flu, including where you can get a flu vaccine in texas, details on national influenza vaccination week, and more. The national flu season begins in october and ends in may. Since the northern and southern hemisphere have winter at different times of the year, there are actually two flu seasons each year. Information about the flu, including where you can get a flu vaccine in texas.
This season cdc estimates that, as of midmarch, between 29,000 and 59,000 have died due to. During the spring months of marchmay, influenza b virus became dominant. During the season, influenza activity increased through early december and peaked in middecember according to ilinet and nrevss data. Among people 65 years and older, there were an estimated 8. For the 20162017 season, cdc recommends use of the flu shot inactivated influenza vaccine or iiv and the recombinant influenza vaccine riv. Dec 05, 2019 a child has died from the flu in tarrant county for the first reported time since 2015, county health officials say.
News updates texas department of state health services. Influenza flu vaccine information where to get immunized. Texas influenza summary report, 20142015 influenza season september 28, 2014 october 03, 2015 overview. This flu season is the worst in nearly a decade the new. The information below contains data through march 14, 2020. The current extended texas influenza surveillance report is available in pdf format. Texas influenza summary report, 20152016 influenza season october 4, 2015 october 1, 2016 overview the 20152016 influenza season began on october 4, 2015, and went through october 1, 2016. Cdc estimates that the overall burden of influenza disease estimated across all age groups was 40 million flu illnesses, 19 million flu associated medical visits, and.
As far as mortality for the 20142015 influenza season, a total of 148 influenzaassociated pediatric deaths were reported in the us of which 19 were reported from texas 2. The flu is a very contagious respiratory disease and can lead to serious illness, hospitalization and in some cases even death. Those at highest risk for complications from the flu are pregnant women, people over age 65, people with chronic medical conditions and. Most flu sufferers today are struggling with the same nasty strain of virus known as h3n2, which hit with a vengeance three years ago. Jun 27, 2018 statewide, texas flurelated death rate this season was 32. The ah1n1pdm09 vaccine component was updated from an amichigan45 2015 h1n1pdm09like virus to an abrisbane022018 h1n1pdm09like virus. Flu season healthtexas medical group best doctors san. The most prevalent virus of the 2014 2015 flu season has been influenza a h3n2, a particularly severe infection responsible for the three deadliest flu seasons since 2000. It steadily declined throughout the rest of the season. Flu vaccinations have been used to diminish the effects of the flu season. Flu season is an annually recurring time period characterized by the prevalence of outbreaks of influenza flu. Flu season in travis county reminders of what you can do. Flu activity report texas department of state health.
The texas department of health this season is reporting the deaths of 2,355 people. People who are at high risk of serious flu illness should take flu antiviral drugs quickly if they get sick. It is particularly important for pregnant women, young children, older adults, and people with chronic health conditions, because people. Cold and flu season has started in north texas already, said dr. This map of texas explains why everyone you know has the flu. The first and most important step in preventing flu is to get a flu shot each year. There have been 15 pediatric flu related deaths reported this season. Jan 05, 2018 sneezing and coughing have characterized this holiday season, but thats no coincidence. Jun 28, 2018 in what was considered the worst season in years, the flu and flu related pneumonia killed nearly 10,000 texans in 20172018, according to a new state report. Jeffrey kahn, chief of pediatric infectious diseases at ut southwestern. The 20172018 influenza season was a high severity season with high levels of outpatient clinic and emergency department visits for influenzalike illness ili, high influenzarelated hospitalization rates, and elevated and geographically widespread influenza activity for an extended period.
But the centers for disease control and prevention says its still going strong, with 20 states registering the highest levels of flu. Why last flu season was so deadly, and what you can do to. Houstons starts later and becomes most active in january through march, officials said. Flu season in the us, which runs from october through may, claims tens of thousands of lives every year. Flu season off to an early start, will peak before usual health officials say it is the earliest winter start for the flu in more than 15 years. The 20142015 influenza season began on september 28, 2014 and went through october 03, 2015. In order to have flu shots ready for flu season, experts have to decide, months in advance, which strains to include in the vaccine. Brutal flu season claims more than 150 lives across dallasfort worth in north texas, several counties have seen flu deaths. Children six months of age or older who are uninsured and adults who are uninsured or on medicare can receive free flu shots at the city of austin public health department immunization clinics, shots for totsbig shots. Parents, brace yourselves cold, flu season is here. Flu, covid19 pose dual threat to health as winter season. The death is the fourth from pediatric flu in texas this year, according to. Everyone 6 months and older get a flu vaccine each season.
Texas is first in the nation for flu activity, the latest data from walgreens shows. Oct 07, 2019 a highdose trivalent flu vaccine is available for those 65years and older. Brutal flu season claims more than 150 lives across dallas. During the season, influenza activity increased through early december and peaked the last week in december. Current extended flu activity report pdf texas influenza summary report. In general, flu season can start anytime in late fall, peak in midtolate winter usually january or february, and continue through early spring. Jan 25, 2018 in the most active season in recent years, the number of texans dying from a flu related cause has now doubled. Influenza season key points texas department of state. Flu season can begin as early as october, can last until may and usually peaks in january or february. In birds, humans, and pigs, the virus has mutated into many strains. Dshs encourages you to protect yourself and your family by getting the flu shot as soon as possible. The nasal spray is approved for use in nonpregnant individuals, 2. Flurelated deaths in texas double houston chronicle. By the end of this season, the number of pediatric deaths could exceed the 148 deaths reported during the 2014 2015 flu season, health officials said.
Last years flu season was mild in travis county compared with that of 201718, which was the deadliest on record for the area with 49 flu related deaths. In years in which h3n2 is the predominate strain, there are more hospitalizations. For the 20192020 season, the nasal spray flu vaccine live attenuated influenza vaccine or laiv is again a recommended option for influenza vaccination of persons for whom it is otherwise appropriate. While influenza viruses circulate yearround, most of the time flu activity peaks between december and february, but activity can last as late as may. The texas department of state health services urges everyone six months old and older to get vaccinated against the flu. Flu season typically peaks in february, but health officials say itll likely peak sometime between december and february. Texas influenza summary report, 202014 influenza season september 29, 20 september 27, 2014 overview. Map shows reported flu type illnesses in central texas this season flu shots coming out later this year after changes to vaccine doctors told kvue they dont have a reason as to why the flu season. Jan 04, 2018 dallas county suffered its sixth death of the 201718 flu season tuesday, marking another low point in one of the worst flu seasons in decades, researchers say. The 20172018 united states flu season lasted from late 2017 through early 2018. Javascript is disabled or is not supported by your browser. Visit the center for disease control and preventions cdc website for national statistics on flu. Flu season off to an early start, will peak before usual.
The 20142015 flu season is shaping up to be severe. By johnathan ledbetter, mph texas department of state. Why last flu season was so deadly, and what you can do to protect yourself now for now, flu activity is low across texas and in dallasfort worth. The best way to protect yourself from the flu is with a flu vaccination. What you need to know about the upcoming flu season in. Influenza activity remains high across the state and is above the texas specific ili baseline. In the united states, flu season occurs in the fall and winter. Early flu season leads to deaths of texas children by debbie koenig dec. Feb 12, 2018 during the 2014 2015 season, the percent of weekly hospital visits attributed to influenzalike illnesses in texas reached roughly percent and then began falling, according to the centers for. What you need to know about the upcoming flu season in south texas health officials urge to you get your flu shot early. More information about flu activity during the 20142015 season can be found in 20142015 flu season drawing to a close, fluview, and the mmwr report update.
Did you know that the best way to protect yourself and your loved ones against the flu is to get vaccinated. Houstons starts a little later and typically is most active in january through march, officials said. Scott padgetts weekend weather forecastbeautiful weather is in store for north texas this weekend with sunny skies and. Flu activity high in 35 states with influenza b cases. The nasal spray flu vaccine live attenuated influenza vaccine or laiv should not be used during 20162017. Influenza activity united states, 201415 season and composition of the 201516 influenza vaccine. Flu season is the time of year when you are most likely to get sick from the flu.
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