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A healthcare worker wearing protective gloves administers a flu vaccine to a patient, highlighting efforts to combat the flu outbreak in North Texas.
February 3, 2025 0 Comments

Flu Outbreak in North Texas: What You Need to Know

North Texas is currently experiencing a severe flu outbreak, with a rapid increase in cases leading to school closures, packed hospitals, and a growing demand for treatment. This surge is part of a larger statewide trend and is further complicated by rising cases of COVID-19, RSV, and norovirus. While the flu vaccine is proving highly effective this season, low vaccination rates and increased indoor activity during the winter months have contributed to the spread. Here’s what you need to know about the current flu situation in North Texas.

A microscopic view of influenza virus cells, showing their detailed structure as the flu spreads rapidly across North Texas, causing school closures and hospital surges.
A close-up look at flu virus cells as North Texas faces a severe outbreak, leading to school closures and a rise in hospital visits.

Key Takeaways from the Article

Widespread Flu Outbreak: Schools in multiple districts have closed due to high illness rates, and hospitals are experiencing an influx of flu patients.


Flu Positivity Rate: Texas is reporting a 34% flu positivity rate, significantly higher than the national average of 25%.


Tamiflu Shortages: Some pharmacies are running out of Tamiflu due to increased demand, though there is no nationwide shortage.


Low Vaccination Rates: Flu vaccination rates in Dallas County remain at 36-37%, well below the 70% needed for herd immunity.


Flu Vaccine Effectiveness: This year’s flu vaccine is 80% effective at preventing severe illness.


Prevention Measures: Regular handwashing, avoiding close contact with sick individuals, and getting vaccinated can help slow the spread.

 

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Widespread Flu Outbreak Impacting North Texas

The flu has spread aggressively across North Texas, forcing several school districts to close due to high student and staff absenteeism. Among the districts affected are Comanche ISD, Morgan ISD, Godley ISD, and Treetops International School, with Godley ISD reporting 650 student absences in a single day. Hospitals are also feeling the strain. Cook Children’s Medical Center in Fort Worth saw nearly 700 flu-related patients in just 24 hours.

Dr. Stephanie Felton from Cook Children’s Medical Center remarked, “This year, we’re seeing an abundance of flu cases, far more than usual.” Similarly, Dr. Joseph Chang, Chief Medical Officer at Parkland Health, noted, “We’ve seen a fast rise in flu cases and hospital admissions.”

 

Other Respiratory Viruses Are Also Spreading

In addition to the flu, hospitals are also seeing an increase in COVID-19, RSV, and norovirus. While COVID cases appear to be stabilizing, norovirus outbreaks have been reported throughout Texas and beyond. Dr. Julie Trivedi from UT Southwestern Medical Center explained, “COVID cases have leveled off slightly, but we continue to see spikes in RSV and norovirus.”

 

High Demand for Tamiflu Leading to Shortages

With flu cases surging, pharmacies are struggling to keep up with demand for Tamiflu, the antiviral medication that can shorten flu symptoms. Some locations are temporarily out of stock, but CVS has stated that there is no widespread shortage. Dr. Stephanie Felton emphasized, “Tamiflu can help reduce the duration of illness, but it’s important to take it within the first 48 hours of symptoms.”

A map highlighting North Texas school districts, including Comanche ISD, Morgan ISD, Godley ISD, and Treetops International School, closed due to the flu outbreak.
A look at North Texas schools forced to close due to a severe flu outbreak, impacting students and teachers across multiple districts.

Why Is the Flu Hitting North Texas So Hard?

Several factors have contributed to this year’s severe flu outbreak:

  • Colder Weather: People are spending more time indoors, increasing virus transmission.

  • Holiday Gatherings: Increased social interactions over the holidays helped spread the virus.

  • Delayed Flu Season Start: An unusually warm fall may have delayed the flu’s spread initially, leading to a sharp rise later.

Dr. Joseph Chang noted, “We had an unusually warm fall, keeping people outdoors. Now that winter has set in, we’re seeing a surge in cases.”

 

Flu Vaccine Effectiveness and Low Vaccination Rates

This year’s flu vaccine is reported to be 80% effective against circulating strains, making it a strong defense against severe illness. However, only 36-37% of people in Dallas County have received the flu shot, far below the 70% needed for herd immunity.

Dr. Chang warned, “If we don’t get to 70% vaccination, we won’t see significant herd immunity, meaning the virus will continue spreading unchecked.”

Symptoms & Contagiousness

Flu symptoms appear suddenly and can include:

  • Fever

  • Cough

  • Sore throat

  • Runny or stuffy nose

  • Muscle aches

  • Fatigue

  • Vomiting or diarrhea (more common in children)

People with the flu are contagious for 3-7 days, but children and those with weakened immune systems may spread the virus for even longer. Some individuals can spread the flu without showing symptoms.

 

Prevention Measures: What You Can Do

To help curb the spread of the flu, health experts recommend: ✔ Getting vaccinated – It’s not too late, and protection develops within 7-14 days.
Avoiding close contact with people who are sick.
Frequent handwashing and using hand sanitizer when soap isn’t available.
Staying home when sick to prevent spreading the virus.
Disinfecting surfaces like doorknobs and light switches to eliminate flu germs.

Dr. Chang emphasized, “The best way to protect yourself is by avoiding people with symptoms and keeping up with hygiene practices.”

 

Flu Testing & Treatment

If you experience flu symptoms, testing is available at doctors’ offices, urgent care centers, and retail pharmacies. Over-the-counter flu tests are also available at stores like Walmart and Walgreens.

Tamiflu is most effective when taken within 48 hours of symptom onset, so seeking medical advice early is crucial.

In Conclusion,

The flu outbreak in North Texas is serious, with school closures, overwhelmed hospitals, and medication shortages underscoring the urgency of the situation. Low vaccination rates, holiday gatherings, and colder weather have all contributed to the surge. While the flu vaccine offers strong protection, it’s not too late to get vaccinated and take other preventative measures to protect yourself and your community.

 

Final Recommendations

📌 Get the flu vaccine if you haven’t already—it’s still highly effective.
📌 Practice good hygiene to reduce virus spread.
📌 Stay home when sick to avoid infecting others.
📌 Seek medical care early if experiencing severe flu symptoms.

By taking proactive steps, we can work together to reduce the impact of this flu season in North Texas.

 

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