Current Influenza Rates in Texas (2024-2025 Season)
The 2023-2024 influenza season in the United States, which provides the most recent complete data available, showed moderate severity with influenza-like illness (ILI) peaking at 15.49% among children 0-4 years of age in late December 2023, and cumulative pediatric hospitalization rates of 86 per 100,000 for ages 0-4 years and 34.5 per 100,000 for ages 5-17 years. 1
National Context for 2023-2024 Season
The CDC estimated the national burden between October 1,2023 and June 15,2024 included:
- 35 to 65 million illnesses
- 16 to 30 million influenza-related medical visits
- 390,000 to 830,000 hospitalizations
- 188 pediatric deaths reported through July 27,2024 1
Virus Characteristics
- 69% of identified viruses were influenza A, with H1N1pdm09 predominating (66.5% of subtyped isolates)
- Most viruses were genetically and antigenically similar to vaccine strains 1
Texas-Specific Findings
A notable case of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) A(H5N1) was identified in March 2024 in a dairy farm worker in Texas, representing the first such human case in the United States. The virus was also isolated from dairy cattle and wild birds in the area. The individual experienced only eye symptoms and fully recovered, with no evidence of person-to-person transmission. 1
Hospitalization Patterns
Among hospitalized children nationally:
- 70.7% had at least one underlying medical condition
- Asthma was the most common underlying condition
- Other common conditions included neurologic disease (21.2%) and obesity (17.6%)
- Hospitalization rates were highest in children <1 year of age (128.3 per 100,000) 1
Critical Mortality Data
Of 188 pediatric deaths:
- More than half occurred in children without preexisting high-risk medical conditions
- Of 89 vaccine-eligible children who died, 88% were not fully immunized 1
2024-2025 Season Emerging Patterns
Recent surveillance data suggests the 2024-2025 season is showing high intensity of influenza-like illness, reported as the highest in 13 seasons, with influenza B/Victoria predominantly affecting younger age groups when vaccine match is present. 2
Timing Considerations
- RSV epidemics frequently peak before influenza (median 3.0 weeks earlier, occurring in 77% of analyzed state-seasons)
- The 2023-2024 and 2024-2025 seasons showed more synchronous onset timing between RSV and influenza compared to prior years 3
Clinical Implications
Healthcare providers in Texas should anticipate:
- Continued moderate-to-high influenza activity during typical winter months
- Highest burden among children <5 years, particularly infants <1 year
- Substantial proportion of severe cases occurring in previously healthy children
- Need for heightened surveillance given the documented H5N1 case in Texas dairy workers
The data underscores the critical importance of annual influenza vaccination for all persons ≥6 months of age, as recommended by ACIP since 2010, particularly given that the vast majority of pediatric deaths occurred in unvaccinated children. 4, 1