Texas flu activity 'very high' as U.S. faces worst season since 2009
At least five children in Texas have died from flu-related illnesses this winter amid the nation's worst flu season in 15 years, according to the latest data from Texas Department of State Health Services.
The big picture: The virus is causing more severe complications and hitting young children especially hard.
Zoom in: The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's Influenza Surveillance Report ranked Texas flu activity as "very high" for the week ending Feb. 8.
Hospital flu positivity rates neared 39%, down from 45% the week before, but flu activity remains severe, per state data.
So far, the 2024-25 season has seen three pediatric flu deaths in late 2024 and two this year, DSHS data shows.
The big picture: This flu activity is classified as a "high-severity" season, with estimates of at least 29 million cases nationwide, according to the latest CDC data.
Nearly every state is reporting high or very high flu activity, with roughly 32% of tests coming back positive and some areas testing as high as nearly 40% positive.
Between the lines: This flu season may be made more severe because rates of seasonal flu vaccination have been falling in recent years for some groups, including children.
Plus, this year's flu vaccine was a bit less effective (35%) than in a typical year (45%).
People have also had much less exposure to flu in recent years amid the COVID-19 pandemic.
"We think because people were social distancing and using masks for so long during COVID that we have reduced immunity to it," said Carol McLay, president of the Association for Professionals in Infection Control and Epidemiology.
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