AUSTIN (KXAN) — As influenza cases spike across the country, Texas is reporting a higher positivity rate than the national trend, according to data from the Texas Department of State Health Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
In the latest reporting period of Jan. 12-18, Texas reported a 34% positivity rate for the flu statewide, according to data from Texas DSHS released Friday. The seasonal rate in the Lone Star State also climbed to nearly 13% for the flu season to date.
Looking nationally, the CDC reported a 25% positivity rate for flu in the week of Jan. 12-18.
Amid this surge in flu cases circulating, Tarrytown Pharmacy told KXAN last week its pharmacists are seeing an uptick in demand for Tamiflu and other medications. Tamiflu is prescribed to those ages two weeks and older who’ve contracted the flu and haven’t had symptoms for more than two days, according to Tamiflu’s medication details.
Some medications’ lack of availability is due to pharmacies’ requests outweighing available supplies wholesalers have on hand.
“The biggest thing is if you are feeling sick and you do have a prescription, just check in with your pharmacy to make sure that they have it in stock,” said Rannon Ching, president and chief pharmacy officer at Tarrytown Pharmacy. “Otherwise if they don’t, check with some other pharmacies to see if they do. But as a whole, when these big spikes happen — especially across the country — a lot of pharmacies may not have enough supplies sitting on their shelves, but maybe they can order it.”
Here in Texas, cases began rising in December before spiking in January. The flu season tends to see activity peaks between December and February, but cases can emerge year-round, according to the CDC.
