AUSTIN, Texas -- Influenza activity in Texas is widespread, that is considered the highest category level. According to a report by The Texas Department of State Health Services, just about every flu-related component it monitors is seeing an increase.
"This flu season seems to be abnormal. Every flu season is different, so we really don’t know what to expect, this year, we’re seeing the flu season peak a little bit earlier than it normally does,” said Coleen Christian, a public health educator.
Clinics across the Texas aren’t just treating patients experiencing influenza-like illnesses; they're seeing more and more patients who want to get vaccinated.
“The deaths, they’re hearing of the people that are having to be hospitalized, they might even be seeing it firsthand at home or with relatives,” said Sylvia Herrera, a licensed vocational nurse for Austin Public Heath.
The number of Texans dying from a flu-related cause has more than doubled. The running total is now 2,355, up from 1,155 the week before.
“It does seem a lot worse than I can remember," Herrera said. "I’ve been with the health department for at least 10 years."
There are also more specimens testing positive for influenza at public health and hospitals across the state. When you factor in outbreaks, which are counted by more than one case in a single facility, there were 34 in the week of Jan. 7, compared to eight the week before.
“Most people including myself and some of my family members wait until something happens. They kind of just wait until the last minute. With it being so high in our county people are starting to see that urgency to come in and get their flu shot,” said Maria Mata, patient representative for Austin Public Health.
For example, in Williamson County, health officials investigated 12 outbreaks at nursing homes and day cares in January. Aside from regular hand washing and staying home when sick, health professionals stress the importance of vaccinations.
"Overall we’ve got about a 30 percent effectiveness so that’s really good. If you do get the flu shot, but you get the flu you’re going to have a less lengthy illness and the chances of complications and the severity of the flu is going to be much less,” said Christian.
Mata said her children got their flu vaccines in the fall, but it is not too late for everyone else.
"Mainly because my kids are still in school and you never know what other kids bring to the school. Just to kind of get ahead of the game,” said Mata.
The department of health said it is still too early to tell if flu activity has peaked in Texas. Christian said historically in Texas, they've seen cases as late as April. Flu season technically ends in June.