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Flu Surveillance — September 28, 2009

DSHS’s latest flu report, for the week ending Sept. 26, classifies flu activity in Texas as “widespread.”

The “widespread” classification is used when there are increases in flu-like illnesses and recent lab-confirmed flu cases in at least half of the state's regions.

DSHS has confirmed 18 flu-associated pediatric deaths in Texas from the start of the 2008-2009 flu season last fall till now.

Flu is not a reportable condition in Texas, but DSHS relies on reports from a surveillance network to classify flu activity. DSHS reports the weekly classifications to the CDC.

CDC’s flu-activity classifications range from no activity to sporadic, local, regional and widespread.

Latest Available DSHS Weekly Flu Surveillance Report

Historical DSHS Flu Surveillance Reports

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West Nile — September 21, 2009

DSHS has confirmed 46 human cases of neuroinvasive West Nile in Texas residents this year. Counties with confirmed cases are Brown, Dallas (9), Denton, El Paso (8), Floyd, Harris (4), Montague, Montgomery (3), Navarro, Orange, Potter, Randall, Tarrant (13) and Tyler.

DSHS has confirmed two West Nile deaths in Texas this year, both from Tarrant County.

Neuroinvasive refers to meningitis or encephalitis.

In 2008 West Nile was detected in 41 counties. There were 38 human cases of neuroinvasive West Nile and 24 West Nile fever cases from 24 counties, including one death.

In 2007 West Nile was detected in 93 counties. There were 170 human cases of neuroinvasive West Nile and 90 West Nile fever cases from 59 counties, including 17 deaths.

In 2006 West Nile was detected in 98 Texas counties. There were 233 human cases from 46 counties, including 33 deaths.

In 2005 West Nile was detected in 78 Texas counties. There were 128 human cases from 38 counties, including 11 deaths.

In 2004 West Nile was detected in 101 Texas counties. There were 119 human cases from 40 counties, including eight deaths.

In 2003 West Nile was detected in 190 counties. There were 439 human cases from 86 counties, including 38 deaths.

In 2002 West Nile was detected in 213 counties. There were 202 human cases from 37 counties, including 13 deaths.

Since the virus was first found in Texas in 2002, West Nile has been detected in humans, birds, mosquitoes or horses in 235 of the state's 254 counties.

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Page last updated: 9/28/09 – 4:19 p.m.