Data: Flu activity in Brazos County sees decrease

Though flu season still isn't over, Brazos County may have already seen the worst of it.

Data from the Brazos County Health Department shows that the number of flu cases and flu-like illnesses declined steadily since the activity appeared to reach its peak the week ending Feb. 3. There were 520 flu cases and 245 flu-like illnesses reported to the department that week.

Those numbers have dropped to 91 reported flu cases and 92 cases of flu-like illnesses the week ending March 3 -- the lowest total amount reported since early December. This year's flu season was particularly severe across the United States, described as perhaps the worst in almost a decade. In Bryan-College Station, hundreds of people have fallen ill every week since about mid-December, crowding doctor's offices and creating long wait times in emergency rooms.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's weekly influenza surveillance report also indicates that flu activity decreased in the United States the week ending Feb. 24. Influenza-like illnesses made up 5 percent of outpatient visits, compared to 6.4 percent the previous week.

Texas is now experiencing "local" flu activity, according to the CDC, but it remains widespread in 45 states and Puerto Rico. The CDC still recommends flu vaccinations for everyone six months of age and older, as the flu is expected to keep circulating for several more weeks.

Sara Mendez, health education and promotion director for the Brazos County Health Department, said only seven people were vaccinated last week at the department's free flu clinic, which also served as an opportunity to test its emergency preparedness strategies. That could have been because it's late in the flu season, she said, or the public perception that the flu shot is not effective this year.

The vaccine is estimated to be about 36 percent effective. Its overall effectiveness drops to about 25 percent for the most predominant strain this year, H3N2. The CDC states that while the vaccine's effectiveness can vary, it can make an illness milder for vaccinated individuals who do get sick.

No local flu-related deaths have been reported to the health department this year.