January 9, 2026

By Mary Beth Gahan

DENTON COUNTY, Texas — If you’re hoping to avoid getting the flu this year, some good news may be on the way.

The CDC said the intensity of influenza-like illness in Texas is “very high” and Denton County recorded the most positive tests this season in the last week of December. But officials say there are indications the spread is waning, for now.

In the latest weekly report available, Denton County recorded that hospitals and providers performed 1,119 tests and 318 were positive – a rate of 28 percent. At the beginning of the month, for the week ending Dec. 6 there were 55 tests that showed a person had the flu, or about 9 percent of those tested at a medical facility. There are likely many more cases because over-the-counter tests are available to take at home.

Juan Rodriguez, assistant health director and chief epidemiologist for Denton County Public Health, said the flu season runs from October to May and traditionally peaks in February, although there can also be an uptick as people get together to celebrate Christmas, Hannukah, and New Year’s Eve. Last year, the most cases were reported in the beginning of February, with more than 35 percent of tests coming back positive.

“This year we're seeing this early peak during the holidays. So much so that it may already be decreasing,” Rodriguez said.

Rodriguez said some metrics are showing a decline. For the week ending Jan. 3, the department recorded 212 tests, or 18 percent of all tests for flu in that week, came back positive.

Still, that could change if there is a second wave.

At the beginning of the season, Flu B was the dominant strain in the area, according to data released by the department. Now, it’s Flu A that is spreading and getting more people sick. Usually, it’s the other way around, Rodriguez said.