Houston Viruses: Flu, COVID Up; January Peak Ahead

**Montgomery County Braces for January Surge as Respiratory Viruses Shift Gears**

Montgomery County and the broader Houston metropolitan area are navigating a dynamic winter virus season, with health officials and medical professionals reporting a mixed picture as the region heads into the historically challenging month of January. While one major respiratory illness appears to be on the decline, others are gaining traction, prompting renewed calls for vaccination and vigilance.

The good news for parents and pediatricians is that Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV) appears to have largely peaked and is now receding. Dr. Melanie Mouzoon, medical director of infection control and prevention at Texas Children’s Hospital, noted that the facility saw its RSV peak around October 29th, with overall severity for children being less pronounced compared to last year’s challenging season. Local hospitals echo this trend; Houston Methodist The Woodlands and Memorial Hermann The Woodlands both reported their RSV peaks in late November, with case numbers steadily declining since. This earlier and seemingly less severe RSV season is a welcome development, potentially attributed to factors such as earlier availability of new preventative options for infants and natural immunity from prior seasons.

However, the flu is now clearly on the rise. Influenza A is currently the most prevalent strain circulating, though Influenza B is also present. Data from Texas Children’s Hospital shows a distinct upward trend in flu cases, aligning with predictions for a January peak. Dr. Jason Terk, a pediatrician in Keller and vice president of the Texas Medical Association, continues to emphasize the critical importance of annual flu shots, stating they are highly effective in preventing severe illness and hospitalization. Houston Methodist The Woodlands has observed a steady increase in flu cases throughout December, while Memorial Hermann The Woodlands reported flu numbers climbing in December, directly following the dip in RSV activity. The Texas Department of State Health Services (DSHS) weekly surveillance reports for the Houston region confirm increasing flu activity, urging residents to get vaccinated if they haven’t already.

COVID-19 cases are also increasing again across the region. Houston’s chief medical officer, Dr. David Persse, reported that testing positivity rates jumped from 8% in mid-November to approximately 16.4% by mid-December, with emergency department visits for COVID-like symptoms reaching 12.5% during the same period. Wastewater monitoring, a key early indicator, also shows an uptick in viral load. Despite this rise in transmission, the encouraging news is that area hospitals are not experiencing the same level of severe illness or overwhelming demand seen in previous waves of the pandemic. Hospitalizations, while slightly increasing, remain mostly stable and are not currently posing a threat to hospital capacity. Health experts continue to recommend the latest updated COVID-19 vaccine, available for most individuals aged six months and older, as the best defense against severe disease and complications.

Looking ahead, January is traditionally the most challenging month for respiratory illnesses, and healthcare providers are bracing for a potential post-holiday surge. “January and February are always the tough months when we see the highest number of respiratory illnesses,” said Dr. Ann Barnes, physician-in-chief at Kelsey-Seybold Clinic. This sentiment is echoed by Dr. Michael Kaplan, chief medical officer at Houston Methodist The Woodlands, and Dr. Eric Haas, chief medical officer at Memorial Hermann The Woodlands. Holiday gatherings and increased travel present ample opportunities for viruses to spread, amplifying concerns about a significant uptick in cases in the coming weeks.

“Just because you haven’t been sick over the holidays doesn’t mean you won’t be in January and February,” Dr. Persse cautioned, urging the public to maintain vigilance. The ongoing public health advice remains consistent: get vaccinated for both flu and COVID-19, practice frequent and thorough hand washing, and critically, if you are feeling sick, stay home to prevent further transmission. Testing for flu, COVID-19, and RSV is also recommended for those with symptoms to guide appropriate treatment and isolation measures. While the current season has offered some relief with RSV, the rising tide of flu and COVID-19 underscores the importance of preventative actions as Montgomery County enters the peak of winter virus season.