BRAZOS VALLEY FLU SEASON HAS PEAKED

  

Five Brazos Valley Counties are confirming that a mutated influenza virus that is present around the country, is also in the Brazos Valley.

The H3N2, also known as Type A, is now present in 40 of 254 counties, and is present in 99 percent of specimens tested by the Department of State Health Services.

There have been no deaths in the Brazos Valley, but there have been two pediatric deaths in other parts of Texas and 11 pediatric deaths are being reported in other parts of the country.

In 2013, the number of flu cases peaked before Christmas, with 704 cases being recorded. This year the number is slightly lower, with 688 cases between October 1 and December 20th.

Sara Mendez, with the Brazos County Health Department, believes the number could be higher, since it is not mandatory to report flu cases. All Brazos Valley counties are reporting their flu cases, but not necessarily all of the subtypes.

Earlier this month the H3N2 virus had been reported as the predominant strain, and the Centers for Disease Control released statements saying that this strain was not being used in making the vaccines; rather, that a mutated strain was being used.

The CDC still advises the public to get vaccinated, since flu season usually ends in March.

 

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