North Texas is experiencing a sharp increase in influenza activity as the region enters winter, according to recent public health surveillance data tracking the spread of flu across the Dallas-Fort Worth metroplex.
Local health departments report influenza positivity rates in Dallas and Tarrant counties have climbed rapidly, with flu-related hospitalizations doubling within weeks, signaling widespread community transmission.
Flu Cases Far Exceed Regional Baselines
Tarrant County health officials recorded a 256% increase in influenza positivity on rapid tests between early and mid-December, according to a county public health advisory. By December 27, 26.4% of flu tests returned positive, confirming widespread community transmission based on Week 52 respiratory surveillance data.
Emergency rooms and urgent care centers are seeing increased demand. Influenza-like illness in Tarrant County rose from 14.0% to 17.5%, nearly three times the county’s baseline rate of 6.7%, according to Week 52 surveillance data.
Dallas County is seeing a similar surge. Flu-associated hospitalizations more than doubled in one week, increasing from 46 in Week 50 to 110 in Week 51, according to the county’s Respiratory Virus Surveillance Dashboard. During the same time period, the overall prevalence of the flu nearly doubled, with the percentage of flu tests returning positive jumping from 6.6% to 12.8%.
State health officials have now classified flu activity in Texas as “High,” citing rising hospitalizations, emergency visits, and lab-confirmed cases across the state.
Nationally, flu activity followed a similar upward trajectory in December. The CDC’s Week 52 FluView report shows the national flu positivity rate nearly quadrupled, increasing from 8.0% to 32.9%. This increase has been driven primarily by Influenza A, which accounts for the vast majority of reported cases nationwide. Public health data shows Influenza A is associated with more severe outcomes than Influenza B, which currently represents a small share of cases.
Crowded Waiting Rooms Raise Exposure Risks
As flu cases rise, experts warn that overcrowded medical waiting rooms can increase exposure risks, particularly for patients seeking care for mild to moderate symptoms.
Research published by Oxford Academic and Cambridge University Press indicates that overburdened emergency facilities face greater challenges in infection control, increasing the risk of virus transmission among patients and healthcare staff.
The surge has coincided with increased attention on alternatives to in-person care during peak flu weeks.
Flu spikes turn North Texas families to Virtual Care
Telehealth appointments are increasingly being used by some DFW residents to access care while avoiding crowded clinics and emergency rooms during peak flu activity.
“During peak flu season, the last place many patients want to be is a crowded waiting room,” said Dr. Dirk Perritt, CEO and founder of MD Health Pathways. Perritt said virtual care can help reduce unnecessary exposure for patients with mild flu symptoms during peak season, based on his experience as an emergency physician.
As previously reported by The Dallas Express, Tap Telehealth is a Texas-based virtual care program designed to connect patients with licensed medical professionals for non-emergency healthcare needs.
The service is currently being piloted in Garland, where residents are offered a free trial during peak flu season ahead of a planned spring rollout.
Dr. Perritt noted “that for many flu cases, using this service puts fewer people at risk for worsened symptoms, and early evaluation can make a significant difference in their recovery time.”
Flu Season Far From Over
Health officials caution that flu season will continue for several more months, with case activity expected to persist into the spring.
As hospitals and urgent care centers navigate the surge, health officials continue to stress the importance of vaccination, early treatment, and appropriate care settings to reduce strain on the healthcare system and limit community spread.
Statewide data updated in early January shows influenza-related emergency department visits and hospitalizations beginning to decline, a pattern health officials say often follows peak flu activity.
