Texas gripped by H1N1 Flu Epidemic with over 13 deaths reported, Texans urged to get Flu vaccination immediately

By: Ricardo E. Calderon
Copyright 2013 Eagle Pass Business Journal, Inc.

The State of Texas is currently in the midst of a serious H1N1 Flu epidemic, also known as the Swine Flu, with over 13 Texans dying from the Swine flu or complications from it, including a teen age boy in Houston, Texas, during the past month causing a public health dilemma.

The area hardest hit by the H1N1 flu epidemic appears to be the greater Houston metropolitan area and surrounding counties with 13 deaths reported in Harris County, Texas alone. The most recent victim of the H1N1 flu was a young teen age boy from Houston, Texas who passed away on Thursday, December 26, 2013.

The Texas Department of Health Services is urging all Texans to get the current flu vaccine because it includes vaccination against the H1N1 flu. Everyone who has not yet taken the flu vaccine are encouraged to get it immediately with their local physician or health care clinic. In Eagle Pass, Texas, local residents can get the flu vaccine with their private doctor or at the United Medical Centers.

Since Texas hospitals are not required to report the deaths of adults from the H1N1 flu except children, public health officials fear that the number of deaths in Texas caused by the Swine Flu may be greater than what is known or reported to date.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention reported that Texas is one of six states in the United States that is experiencing “high” activity of influenza-like illnesses. Other states include Alabama, Louisiana, Oklahoma, Mississippi, and Missouri.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention notes that 95% of Texas flu cases involve the H1N1 Flu, also commonly known as Swine Flu.

In Eagle Pass and Maverick County, health care providers report a higher incident of flu-like illnesses within the community and recommend residents to get the Flu-vaccine as soon as possible, particularly senior citizens and young children. Maverick County health care providers report they have the current Flu-vaccine available with plenty of supply.

Harris County in Houston, Texas has reported 13 deaths related to influenza-related illnesses while an Austin, Texas man recently died from the H1N1 Flu and another five adults are hospitalized at the Seton Hall Medical Center in Austin with influenza-related illnesses. In Longview, Texas, three adults have passed away from the H1N1 Flu reported the North East Texas Public Health District while a Euless, Texas man in North Texas also died from H1N1 Flu. The H1N1 Flu epidemic is reportedly affecting the entire state of Texas with every region of the state reporting deaths related to the H1N1 Flu.

Texas public health officials recommend that people wash their hands every time they touch something or another person, sneeze, shake hands, and sanitize their hands to avoid contacting the flu bacteria from other individuals. Texans are encouraged not to take lightly the flu-like symptoms or illnesses and to immediately seek medical treatment and most importantly get the Flu vaccination immediately if you have not done so yet.