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    Flu mystery stikes Pearland

    Mysterious illness takes life of popular teacher in less than 24 hours

    Tyler Rudick
    Feb 15, 2014 | 8:04 am

    Students at Pearland High School are mourning the loss of a popular teacher who died Tuesday from a still-undetermined illness resembling the flu.

    Tracie Burroughs, who was honored with the school's 2013 Teacher of the Year award, came home from work on Monday afternoon with flu-like symptoms.

    As the evening progressed and her condition steadily worsened, the 47-year old Spanish instructor was rushed to Memorial Hermann Southeast Hospital, where she was pronounced dead at 4:15 a.m. the following morning.

    Burroughs' husband tells KTRK Channel 13 his wife had not traveled recently, was not diabetic and had no known preexisting conditions — characteristics that normally put an individual at risk for serious complications from influenza. She leaves behind two children.

    Burroughs came down with flu-like symptoms Monday afternoon and passed away early Tuesday morning.

    An autopsy report from the Harris County Medical Examiner's Office is pending as of Friday afternoon. It remains unknown if Burroughs received a flu vaccination.

    The teacher's death comes just two months after a similarly fast-moving illness took the lives of at least four adults in the Conroe area. Though a medical mystery at first, officials later attributed the lethal Montgomery County bug to H1N1, the now-common strain behind the "swine flu" pandemic in 2009 and 2010.

    In December, Rita Obey with the Harris County Public Health & Environmental Services Department told CultureMap that the current flu season has been busy but not unusual. She did note, however, that H1N1 tends to target middle-aged people as opposed to most other strains that threaten young children and the elderly.

    To keep flu viruses at bay, Obey stressed the importance of getting the flu vaccine as well as common-sense approaches like regular hand-washing and staying at home when one is sick.

    Funeral services for Burroughs are scheduled for 11 a.m. on Monday at Harvest Time Church (17770 Imperial Valley Drive). The family requests that, in lieu of flowers, donations can be made to her children's college fund through an account set up at Chase Bank.

    High school Spanish teacher Tracie Burroughs died Tuesday from a fast-moving flu-like illness.

    Tracie Burroughs Pearland teacher dies of flu flu-like symptoms February 2014
      
    Photo courtesy of KHOU Houston Channel 11
    High school Spanish teacher Tracie Burroughs died Tuesday from a fast-moving flu-like illness.
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    Hot Headlines

    New owner of Texas Renaissance Festival revealed in our top 5 stories

    CultureMap Staff
    May 17, 2025 | 11:01 am
    Amid scandals covered by multiple documentaries, the nation's largest Renaissance festival opens for its golden season.
    Photo courtesy of the Texas Renaissance Festival
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    Editor's note: It's time to look back at the top Houston news of the week. Details emerge on the new owner of the Texas Renaissance Festival, plus high profile restaurant openings are on the horizon. Catch up on our five most popular stories below, then visit this guide to plan your weekend.

    1. Winner of Ren Fest lawsuit plans to keep the event mostly unchanged. Following a recent court ruling, the Texas Renaissance Festival will soon be under new ownership, but much will remain the same as it has for the last half century. CultureMap has the details.

    2. Houston's most pretty-in-pink restaurant quietly closes in Upper Kirby. PostScript, the posh pink restaurant that opened to considerable fanfare in early 2024, has closed for good.

    3. Massive, German-inspired beer garden coming to new Energy Corridor project. One of Houston’s most successful bar operators is bringing his talents to the Energy Corridor with a new beer garden slated for early 2026.

    Katy Beer Garden outdoor patioThe new beer garden will be similar to Katy Beer Garden. Photo by Eric Sandler

    4. Houstonians will get the royal treatment at this lively new steakhouse. Mark your calendar for Houston’s newest steakhouse, opening May 21.

    5. Luxury bus service Vonlane adds new departure from The Woodlands. The Texas-based luxury motor coach will roll out daily service between Dallas and The Woodlands in June.

    hot-headlinestexas renaissance festivalclosingsopeningsbeer gardenenergy corridorsteakhousevonlanetravelmost popular stories
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