EL PASO, Texas– Officials are reporting a spike in flu cases in Texas with more than a dozen deaths in the Houston area, most of which were caused by the H1N1 strain that’s also known as the swine flu.
KHOU in Houston reports that 13 people have died in Houston so far, including a teenager. Kathy Barton, spokeswoman for the city’s health department, says the teenager was infected with the H1N1 strain of the virus. About 95 percent of the influenza A cases in Texas are H1N1.
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention says Texas is one of four states with “high” activity of influenza-like illnesses.
State health officials say influenza has become widespread across Texas, which is not unusual for this time of year.
