NUECES COUNTY, Tx — Nueces County residents, wash your hands and take your vitamins because the flu is spreading fast.
According to the Corpus Christi-Nueces County Public Health Authority's latest report on the influenza case count, in the last week of December 2024, there were 1,101 flu cases reported. That's a 47% increase from the week before. Keep in mind those numbers are only involving cases that have been reported.
Here's a breakdown of the Influenza case count in Nueces County over the last 4 weeks of December:
- Week 49- 254 cases
- Week 50- 474 cases
- Week 51- 748 cases
- Week 52- 1,101 cases
"Every year in December we see this, It's because of the holidays - people meeting each other when they're not feeling well," said Dr. Fauzia Khan, Corpus Christi Health Director.
Doctors say this year's flu strain is especially aggressive, hitting fast and hard.
"All of a sudden, they'll have terrible fever and muscle aches and we're seeing an uptick in those needing to be admitted." said Dr. Sean Hutzler of Christus Spohn Hospital.
Despite the the surge vaccination rates remain low, with the CDC's FluView showing that only 28% of Texas adults are vaccinated.
According to the Center for Disease Control, the best way to prevent the flu is:
- Everyone 6 months and older should get a flu vaccine every year.
- Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
- Wash your hands often with soap.
- Avoid spreading germs by not touching your nose, eyes, and mouth.
- If you are sick, cover your nose and mouth with a tissue. Discard the tissue after you use it.
- Wear a mask.
This is a developing story. Revisit kristv.com for more information.
