Travis County Flu Deaths Now 11 Amid Stronger Virus (Updated)

Update: A top county health official told Patch on Thursday that the number of Travis County deaths blamed on the flu this season has reached 11. "FYI, late this afternoon we identified an additional 4 deaths so we are now up to 11 in Travis County," Dr. Philip Huang, medical director at the Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department, told Patch in an email Thursday evening.

The news come amid a spike in flu cases nationally, a scourge exacerbated by an increasingly resistant H3N2 strain of the virus causing the illness. Across Texas, there have been more than 1,155 combined flu and pneumonia deaths, including a pediatric death.

Related story: Flu Widespread In 46 States As Death Toll Climbs

From Wednesday, Jan. 10:

TRAVIS COUNTY, TX — Seven people in Travis County have died from the flu since fall, outpacing the rate of deaths of the past two influenza seasons.

Austin/Travis County Health and Human Services Department medical director Philip Huang told Patch in an email the number of area fatalities has reached seven against a backdrop of spiked flu cases nationwide. With at least two more months left to go, this flu season is proving more deadly given a particularly hardy strain of the malady dubbed H3N2 which could be resistant to vaccination, according to health officials.

All told, some 1,200 confirmed cases of the flu have been reported in Travis County. Williamson and Hays counties have collectively reported more than 700 cases each, but no fatalities. The flu outbreak is taking a toll statewide, the Dallas Morning News reports. Texas tracks adult flu deaths as a combined statistic with pneumonia deaths, the newspaper noted. The upshot: So far this season, there have been 1,155 combined flu and pneumonia deaths and one flu-related pediatric death in the state, according to the report.

On their website, Austin health officials offer a number of tips on flu prevention.

Although it's efficacy is being questioned in the face of especially resistant strains, health officials say it's still a good idea to get a flu shot. "The best way to protect yourself from the flu is with a flu vaccination," health officials wrote. "The vaccine this year protects against the most common strains of the virus, including H1N1, which caused a pandemic in 2009."

Children six months of age or older who are uninsured and adults who are uninsured or on Medicare can receive free flu shots at our Immunization clinics, Shots for Tots/Big Shots. For an appointment, call (512) 972-5520.

Tips to avoid the flu, curb its spread

• Stay home if you are sick.
• Avoid touching your face - your mouth, nose, and eyes.
• Wash your hands frequently.
• Avoid others who are sick.
• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or into a tissue.

Signs and symptoms of the flu

• Sudden onset.
• Fever or chills.
• Cough, sore throat.
• Runny or stuffy nose.
• Muscle or body aches.
• Headache.
• Severe fatigue.

How flu spreads

You can be contagious from one day before and up to 5 to 7 days after becoming sick. It is spread through the air, from coughing and sneezing, or by hand, touching something that someone with the virus has touched

Flu treatment

Use over-the-county medications like ibuprofen or cough syrup to relieve symptoms. Rest in bed and drink lots of fluids. If you contact your doctor within 48 hours of onset of symptoms, you may be able to take an anti-viral drug, which will reduce the severity of symptoms and length of the illness.

Emergency warning signs

Get immediate medical attention if a child has trouble breathing, has bluish skin color, is not waking up or interacting. Get immediate medical attention if an adult has difficulty breathing or shortness of breath, has sudden dizziness or confusion, is severely or persistently vomiting, or improves but then gets worse.

Although it's not been updated since late December (when fatalities numbered three), the health department's Detailed Influenza Surveillance Report offers further insight. To read the report, click here. For more information on the flu, visit:

Texas Department of State Health Services

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

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