Influenza widespread in Tarrant County as levels are high across Texas. ER visits rising
The influenza virus has become widespread in Tarrant County in the last two weeks of 2023, according to the public health department.
More than 11% of all emergency room visits in local hospitals were for influenza-like illness, according to Tarrant County Public Health. But although the flu is spreading quickly, flu levels still aren’t quite as high as they were during this period last year. In 2022, the flu season peaked unusually early, in November, before declining.
Tarrant County Public Health’s most recent data, from Dec. 20, shows that kids are feeling the brunt of the flu season. Children under 4 made up the biggest share of Tarrant County residents going to the emergency room for flu, RSV, or other respiratory viruses. And before schools closed for the holidays, more than 7% of all school absences in the county were related to the flu.
No Texas children have died from the flu this winter, according to the Texas Department of State Health Services. Nationwide, at least 14 children have died from the virus in the 2023-24 flu season, according to federal data. Last year, 182 children died from the virus. Public health officials recommend getting a seasonal flu vaccine to reduce your risk of getting seriously sick from the virus. The vaccine can also be life-saving in children, and reduce their risk of severe complications, according to the CDC.
There are no ongoing flu outbreaks in schools or long-term care facilities, although three outbreaks were reported earlier in December.
Across the state, cases of the flu are increasing as well, according to state data.
Cases of the virus that causes COVID-19 are also on the rise in Texas, according to state data.
RSV season appears to have peaked in November, as the number of emergency visits due to the virus have been declining for the last month, according to the public health department.
This story was originally published December 26, 2023 at 11:11 AM.
