First 2 flu-related child deaths reported in Collin County for 2019-20 season

Collin County saw its first two influenza-associated pediatric deaths in the 2019-20 flu season in mid-January, according to a Jan. 27 report.

The two deaths occurred in the same week, following a drop from 437 to 282 in the number of weekly reported cases to Collin County Health Care Services Jan. 5-11. In the following week, Jan.19-25, reported cases rose to 301, with a total of 2,471 for the season.

Of the total 15,902 individuals tested for influenza in Collin County, roughly 17% have tested positive, according to a Jan. 31 report.

The timing of the flu is unpredictable, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, but the fact that influenza is tracked through self-reporting may be part of why there was a drop in cases reported in mid-January, said Jawaid Asghar, chief epidemiologist with Collin County Health Care Services, in an email.

As of Feb. 1, Texas has seen 15 influenza-associated pediatric deaths this season, according to a report by Texas Health and Human Services Department produced Feb. 7. Only pediatric deaths and novel influenza cases are reportable by law in Texas.

Seasonal flu activity often begins in October or November and can continue as late as May, Asghar said in an email. Influenza cases typically peak in January or February in Texas, according to the Texas Health and Human Services Department.

Collin County releases influenza reports on its health care services website.