Texas Cities Continue Confronting Flu Season

The U.S. CDC reported today that seasonal influenza activity continues to decline nationally, with outpatient respiratory illness stable and below baseline for the fifth consecutive week.

As of Week #18, the CDC says that flu viruses are among the several contributing factors to respiratory disease activity. To help people understand their health risks, the CDC provides updated, integrated information about influenza, RSV, and other disease activity every week.

From a local perspective, the Walgreens Flu Index recently identified three Texas cities that led the USA with influenza activity in late April 2024.

These cities are:

1. El Paso, Texas (Las Cruces, N.M.
2. Harlingen-Weslaco-Brownsville-McAllen, Texas
3. Corpus Christi, Texas

The CDC also disclosed that about 63 million flu shots have been administered at pharmacies and physician offices this flu season, which indicates about 6% fewer flu shots administered than last season.

These vaccines remain available at most pharmacies in the U.S.