Doctors across North Texas are reporting a slight increase in flu cases, driven largely by a new mutation known as subclade K, health officials say.
Speaking Tuesday before the Dallas County Commissioners Court, Dallas County Health and Human Services Director Dr. Philip Huang said flu activity in Texas remains at a low to moderate level, well below what is typically seen at the height of flu season.
Huang urged residents who have not yet been vaccinated to get a flu shot, noting there is still time before cases peak.
Statewide data show about 3.9% of flu tests were positive for the most recent reporting week ending Nov. 29, the latest public data available.
Huang cautioned that flu activity could be higher than reported because of increased travel during the Thanksgiving holiday, when flu levels were elevated in some parts of the country.
The new subclade K variant accounts for about 89% of flu viruses tested by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, officials said.
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