Influenza Zip Codes
Break out the face masks? An alarming flu map shows just how large Houston's problem is
It seems that nearly everyone has come down with the flu this season, an overstatement not so far from the truth considering the epidemic's early start and widespread reach on a local, state and national level.
Haven't had the misfortune of contracting it yet? Take note of the most recent report released by the Houston Department of Health and Human Services, where you'll find influenza activity according to ZIP code — and then stay far, far away from those ZIP codes hardest hit.
According to HDHH data from the last week in December, 5.5 percent of emergency department visits in Houston were from patients presenting with "influenza-like illness," defined as a fever of greater than 100 degrees F, plus a cough and/or a sore throat. Those visits were even more (accounting for 6.7 percent or greater) in the following ZIP codes: 77301, 77363, 77378, 77396, 77417, 77453 and 77547.
KHOU has the full details below: