Health officials across Texas report a sharp rise in influenza cases during the holiday season, driven by a fast-spreading flu variant circulating in several parts of the state.
State and local health departments say clinics, urgent care centers, and hospital emergency rooms are seeing more patients with flu-like symptoms than earlier in the season. Laboratory data show higher influenza test positivity rates since late November.
Public health officials say the increase affects urban and rural areas and all age groups. While the pattern is consistent with winter flu activity, officials note that the virus is spreading more quickly this year.
Epidemiologists link the rise in cases to a circulating seasonal flu variant that appears more contagious but not more severe on average. They caution that higher case numbers can still lead to more hospitalizations.
Hospitals in some Texas cities report more admissions for flu-related complications, including pneumonia and dehydration. Emergency departments in major metro areas report heavier patient volumes with common flu symptoms.
Doctors also report cases involving influenza alongside other respiratory viruses, including COVID-19 and RSV, which can complicate recovery.