Flu-related deaths on the rise in Texas

The Texas Department of State Health Services has reported the number of flu-related deaths are rising and they will only continue to climb.

Last week, DSHS reported 1,155 flu-related deaths in Texas and as of Monday they’ve reported 2,355 from October. Austin Public Health last reported there were 11 deaths and now they are reporting 22 in the Travis County area.

Lara Anton said it’s the high-risk groups that are most affected by the H3N2 strand.

"It's definitely one to watch out for and to make sure that you are that you are taking precautions and see your healthcare provider especially if you are in a high risk group, the age of 65 under 5 if you have a chronic health condition or of your pregnant," Anton said. "We are still recommending that people get the flu-vaccine because the flu-vaccine can provide protection against the flu we still have a long time during flu season left and it can also lessen the severity if you do get the flu."

DSHS says the 2017-2018 flu season started early and have not seen a steady decline in cases yet. Typically the flu season begins to taper off in March.