Houston's Flu and RSV Season Fizzles Out

As the world looks forward to a healthy 2024, various health agencies recently reported signs of changing influenza and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) detections.

From a global perspective, the World Health Organization (WHO) Influenza Update N° 462 confirmed the influenza season increased in the temperate Northern Hemisphere,

In the United States, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) FluView reported on January 12, 2024, that influenza case decreases have been noted after several weeks of increases in key indicators. 

The CDC also reported a significant decrease in RSV cases, especially in Texas.

Since a 35% infectious rate peak in November 2023, RSV detections in Texas have gradually decreased to about 10% as of January 6, 2024.

In Texas, the Department of State Health Services Influenza Surveillance Report 2023-2024 Season MMWR Week 01 stated that compared to the previous week, the percentage of patient visits due to influenza-like illness (ILI) has decreased in Texas.

From a city perspective, Texas is no longer a national hot spot for influenza medications.

The Walgreens Flu Index® provides unique insights into flu activity. Its analysis is coupled with retail prescription data for antiviral medications used to treat influenza.

According to the Walgreens Flu Index, Week Ending January 6, 2024, only El Paso and Beaumont-Port Arthur, Texas, are listed in the top ten cities confronting the flu. 

Furthermore, in Harris County, which includes the city of Houston, the weekly ILI trend has been decreasing for the past three weeks.

And the Harris Health Department reported that the weekly RSV diagnosis trend has decreased for the past nine weeks.

The good news from the CDC is ... that regardless of your respiratory virus risk, ample flu shots and RSV vaccines are available at most pharmacies in the U.S.

Moreover, for new mothers, recent news indicates an increasing supply of the Beyfortus™ passive immunization monoclonal antibody therapy available for infants and children for this RSV season.