Texas reports “very high” flu activity levels as cases surge across Austin

AUSTIN (KXAN) — Austin Public Health officials warn flu cases are “increasingly dramatically” across central Texas, as seasonal flu activity continues to surge across the country.

According to recent data from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Texas now falls into the “very high” category for flu activity. Just two weeks ago, KXAN reported the state was seeing a moderate level of influenza cases.

Dr. Desmar Walkes serves as the medical director and health authority for Austin/ Travis County for Austin Public Health. She said healthcare providers are consistently reporting a spike in cases locally.

“Flu is not a reportable condition,” she explained. “But, we do have what we call sentinel providers who are providers in our community that voluntarily give us information. From the information that we are receiving from them, the numbers are increasing dramatically.”

Who is most impacted?

The Texas Department of State Health Services reports an uptick in weekly emergency department visits in the Austin area, with flu cases far surpassing other respiratory illnesses like RSV and Covid-19. The data was last updated on December 27.

Of those weekly visits in the Austin region, the state reports children ages 5-11 are most impacted. Children ages 12-17 follow in a close second, while children 2-4 come in third.

As for state-wide hospitalizations related to the flu, adults 65 and older are most impacted.

Family nurse practitioner for Baylor Scott & White Viviana Rocha told KXAN the majority of her young patients are coming in with flu-like symptoms at their Cedar Park clinic. She believes the spike comes down to holiday gatherings, and said cases may continue to increase as children head back to school.

“From one day to the next, we’ve just had a spike in cases,” she explained. “I would say if they’re not in for their normal well-child visits, a majority of them are coming in with those flu symptoms.”

Rocha said of the children who are testing positive for the flu, their symptoms appear to be worse than normal.

“You can see it in them when they’re really fatigued and, even during their exam, they’re not as active as I usually would see them. So, definitely feel like the symptoms are a little more severe than the typical viral illness,” Rocha explained.

Signs and symptoms

Rocha said most of her patients are testing positive for Influenza A.

Common symptoms include:

• Fever
• Body aches
• Sore throat
• Runny nose
• Congestion
• Cough
• Fatigue

“The big thing that I’ve noticed with this round of flu is that the fevers seem to persist even five to seven days, where normally we see fevers for maybe three days when we’re dealing with a viral illness, so it’s really taking a lot out of these kids and other people as well,” Rocha said.

Where can I get a free flu shot?

Dr. Walkes said the flu shot is the best way to protect yourself. If you do wind up with the flu, the flu shot can lessen symptoms.

“For many people, the flu shot means they won’t get the flu,” she said. “But if you do, it will precent you from becoming severely ill and decrease the likelihood that you’ll end up in the hospital or in an intensive care unit.”

Austin Public Health provides free and low-cost flu shots during the flu season.

You can find details on where you can get your flu shot here. The city says no one is turned away if they cannot pay.