More americans have had flu vaccinations in 2019 than all of 2018, according to the cdc. The official flu season began on september 29, 2019. The texas department of health this season is reporting the deaths of 2,355 people. Cdc had branded 20172018 a high severity season based on. Flu is wreaking havoc in the us right now, and austin and san antonio, texas have been hit particularly hard. In the 20182019 flu season, the centers for disease control and prevention estimates there were approximately 42.
By the end of this season, the number of pediatric deaths could exceed the 148 deaths reported during the 20142015 flu season, health officials said. This important step to prevent flu transmission is supported by national patient safety and infectious disease prevention organizations. The 20192020 influenza season began on september 29, 2019. The number of reported flurelated deaths in texas this season has risen to more than 2,300, state data shows, and an official said theres still more to be counted. Texas cities lead the 2018 flu season precision vaccinations. Most flu sufferers today are struggling with the same nasty strain of virus known as h3n2, which hit with a vengeance three years ago. In texas, more than 1 people died from flu and its complications.
This years vaccination against influenza has been reducing infections by about. The 20182019 influenza season began on september 30, 2018. But while experts say the flu season may have reached its peak, they warn it will take many more weeks for flu activity to truly. A severe variant of the influenza virus has produced a powerful start to the 2018 flu season. Texas flu cases top the nation to start 2018 houston. The current extended texas influenza surveillance report is available in pdf. This flu season is turning out to be so intense that the number of people seeking care at doctors offices and emergency rooms has surged to levels not. Its scary enough to have everyone asking when does flu season end. The fda in 2018 approved the first new flu treatment in nearly 20 years. Flu season is just around the corner and its time to get. This years flu strains killed nearly 10,000 texans in 20172018. The 20192020 flu season, which began in late september, has. Flu season deaths top 80,000 last year, cdc says cnn. The 2018 flu season is the worst since the 2009 swine flu.
Aggressive measures underway as flu arrives early in north. To best protect yourself regardless of the specific timeframe, the centers for disease control and prevention cdc recommends getting vaccinated by the end of october. Flu seasons odd start punctuated by harris county childs death. Texas has been seeing more numbers with those infected by influenza and the season has yet to peak.
Texas map displaying the highest level of influenza or ili activity reported by county for the week ending september 29, 2018 mmwr week 39 statewide influenza activity map. Experts say 20172018 flu season could be severe baylor. In the southern hemisphere, the 2018 flu season is just wrapping up, so the world health organization and the food and drug administration can make decisions by. 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. The centers for disease control and prevention cdc recommends everyday preventive actions like staying away from people who are sick, covering coughs and sneezes and frequent hand washing to help slow the spread of germs that cause respiratory illnesses, like flu. But epidemics like this are the reason institutions like the centers for disease control cdc exist. This web page provides weekly preliminary estimates of the cumulative inseason numbers of flu illnesses, medical visits and hospitalizations in the u. Flu is now widespread in texas nbc 5 dallasfort worth. Two pediatric flurelated deaths occurred in harris county during the 20182019 flu.
Walgreens 2018 seasonending flu index ranks the leading us states and metropolitan areas for influenza activity. San antonio grappling with strong flu season san antonio. Influenza activity is low across the state of texas. The current extended texas influenza surveillance report is available in pdf format. In the most active season in recent years, the number of texans dying from a flu related cause has now doubled.
Flu killed 80,000 people this past season and put 900,000 into the hospital, making it the worst influenza season in decades, the centers for disease control and prevention said thursday. While flu season always occurs during the colder months, its hit a little earlier than usual in. If like many americans you thought this would be a mild flu season, think again. Flu season is on its way out in texas, but dont let your. Excluding the swine flu pandemic of 2009, the worst flu outbreak on record occurred in 2015, during which 710,000 u.
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 us winter flu season is off to its earliest start in more than 15 years. The majority of influenza cases are not reportable by law in texas. The figure below shows peak flu activity in the united states by month for the 19821983 through 20172018 flu seasons. The first and most important step in preventing flu is to get a flu shot each year. Flu season arrives early, driven by an unexpected virus. Texas clinics flooded with tsunami of flu patients and. Influenza a is the most common type of flu circulating in travis county.
In the most active season in recent years, the number of texans dying from a flurelated cause has now doubled. At least 61 percent reported receiving a flu shot this. But its not just that so many people have the flu, its that the flu this year just seems worse. Flu season is an annually recurring time period characterized by the prevalence of outbreaks of influenza flu. Texas clinics flooded with tsunami of flu patients and the season.
Bigcity hospitals in texas have been overwhelmed this week by an influx of flu patients, and state health officials say influenza activity is widespread across the state. Cdc officials say 36 states are reporting widespread flu illnesses. The current flu season is on track to easily equal or surpass those numbers. North texas deadliest region, health department says. Flu season beginning to ease, modelers say texas public. Flu patients leave texas hospitals strapped the texas. During the 201718 flu season, texas reported 11,917 adult pneumonia and influenza deaths. The 20172018 flu season was one of the deadliest in decades according to the cdc.
The central texas region that includes austin and waco recorded 1,146 deaths in the 20172018 season, and more than 2,150 occurred in the. Sobering reminder of why you should always get a flu shot. Flu symptoms seem to be lasting longer, and more people are winding up in the hospital. Flu season is on its way out in texas, but dont let your guard down compared to the last four years, this season saw the highest levels of influenzalike illness. Flu season could be especially long and deadly this year. Brutal flu season claims more than 150 lives across dallasfort worth in north texas, several counties have seen flu deaths. The information below contains data through march 14, 2020. The centers for disease control and prevention cdc reports that confirmed flu activity continues to decrease. Although flu season is usually thought of as occurring in the winter, the severity and timing vary from year to year.
More than 2,300 flurelated deaths reported in texas, more. The aggregate data is from september 2017 through march 2018. Laboratory confirmed flu activity as reported by clinical laboratories continues to decrease sharply and is now low. Texas flu season 20182019 best texas er open 247, no. For the first time in the 20182019 flu season, the flu virus is considered widespread in texas. Its obvious by now that the 2017 2018 flu season is one for the record books a fullblown epidemic that the public health system is fighting with all its got. The 2018 flu season is bracing up to be a bad one, with widespread outbreaks and deaths. During the 20172018 season, influenzalikeillness ili activity began to increase in november, reaching an extended period of high activity during january and february nationally, and remained elevated through the end of march. An estimated 80,000 americans died of flu and its complications last winter. Map shows reported flutype illnesses in central texas this season. Brutal flu season claims more than 150 lives across dallas. The influenza season officially began on september 30, 2018, and historically peaks january through february.
The texas department of state health services reports that the north texas region is highest for child flu deaths. Why last flu season was so deadly, and what you can do to protect. In what was considered the worst season in years, the flu and flurelated pneumonia killed nearly 10,000 texans in 20172018, according to a new state report. Current extended flu activity report pdf september 22, 2019 september 28, 2019 report produced on 1042019. The cdc is urging people to get a flu shot as early indicators show the united states could be. Nationwide, 20 children have died of the flu this season, including one in san antonio. Texas flu season 20182019 best texas er open 247, no lines. Clinics and hospitals across the state have been dealing with a tough flu season this winter. Flu activity report texas department of state health. The season occurs during the cold half of the year in each hemisphere.
The 20172018 flu season is shaping up to look like one of the worst in recent years, but its still too early to tell just how bad its going to get, local and state health officials said this week. Theres still widespread flu activity in every state except hawaii, according to a weekly flu report sent out by the cdc just last friday. 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. If last years active flu season and this years severe season in the southern hemisphere is any indication of what flu season will look like across the country beginning this fall, then its important to get vaccinated soon against influenza, according to an expert at baylor college of medicine. Eighty thousand americans died of the the flu last season, according to preliminary data from the centers for disease control and prevention thats more than the number. In what was considered the worst season in years, the flu and related complications killed nearly 10,000 texans in 20172018, according to state health officials. Current extended flu activity report pdf march 29, 2020 april 4, 2020 report produced on 4 102020. From october 2018 to february 2019, the cdc estimated that 37. Idcu influenza activity report texas department of. Texas flu cases top the nation to start 2018 houston heights, tx houston and east texas among hardest hit areas in the country, according to data compiled by walgreens. According to this walgreens data, the states with the highest rates of influenza were texas, oklahoma, and arkansas.
Inseason preliminary estimates for the 20192020 season will begin this winter. Even though this years flu season got off to a slow start, it is quickly picking up strength. Located in the heart of houston, texas medical center campus is home. The effective dates of the flu season will be identified by jhhs epidemiology and infection prevention. Influenza activity can sometimes be predicted and even tracked geographically. Pharmacist raphael lynne gives a flu shot in miami in 2018. An early barrage of illness in the south has begun to spread more broadly, and theres a decent chance flu season could. For the first time in the 20182019 flu season, the flu virus is considered widespread in texas childrens medical center dallas reported 253 positive flu cases in last weeks monitoring. Flu vaccines are always offered at dallas county health department headquarters and half a dozen community clinics.
Flurelated deaths in texas double houston chronicle. Texas flu season among worst in recent years, lubbock. Texas and the rest of the country is grappling with rising levels of flu illnesses. More serious infection can lead to hospitalization or death.
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