Harris County Launches Respiratory Dashboard to Track Flu, RSV, and COVID-19 Activity
With respiratory illness season in full swing, Harris County Public Health (HCPH) is rolling out a powerful new tool to keep the community informed and protected: the Respiratory Illness Dashboard. Designed to provide clear, accessible data on flu, RSV, and COVID-19 trends across Harris County, the dashboard is now live and will be updated every Wednesday to reflect the most current information available.
Flu season traditionally peaks during winter but viruses like influenza, respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), and COVID-19 circulate year-round. With this in mind, the dashboard aims to offer real-time situational awareness for residents, healthcare providers, and schools alike. It includes key indicators such as emergency department visits, flu vaccination rates, and school absenteeism due to flu-like illness (ILI).
For the week ending December 6, 2025, the dashboard shows a slight drop in flu-related facility visits in Harris County, with influenza levels categorized as “Low,” decreasing from the “Moderate” levels seen in previous weeks. RSV, however, remains classified as “High,” highlighting the virus’s continuing prevalence, particularly among vulnerable populations.
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Tracking Illness Trends in Houston and Beyond
The new respiratory illness dashboard pulls data from several reputable national and regional surveillance systems:
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NEDSS (National Electronic Disease Surveillance System): Tracks lab-confirmed respiratory cases in Harris County.
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NREVSS (National Respiratory and Enteric Virus Surveillance System): Uses lab reports to estimate regional trends.
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ESSENCE (Electronic Surveillance System for the Early Notification of Community-based Epidemics): Analyzes local ER visits for early signs of outbreaks.
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HCPH Public Health Reporting Portal: Collects school absenteeism data related to flu-like symptoms.
Though reporting of these illnesses is not mandatory, the tool aggregates voluntary data to provide a reliable, high-level picture of respiratory illness activity across the Houston area.
Staying Ahead of Respiratory Viruses in Harris County
Respiratory viruses can pose significant health risks, especially for children, seniors, pregnant individuals, and those with compromised immune systems. Symptoms—ranging from high fever and wheezing to the loss of taste or smell—may escalate into complications like pneumonia, ear infections, and heart failure.
With this data now publicly available, community members can take timely actions to reduce their risk—such as getting vaccinated, wearing a mask during periods of high transmission, and staying home when sick.
To help with prevention and response, HCPH offers guidance and scheduling for immunizations, including flu, COVID-19, and RSV (for those eligible). Individuals or facilities experiencing a rise in illness, or those seeking vaccination guidance, are encouraged to reach out to the health department's hotlines:
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Vaccine Appointments: 832-927-7350
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General Respiratory Illness Guidance: 832-927-7575 (Monday–Friday, 8am–5pm)
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Empowering the Greater Houston Community
This new online dashboard is a significant step in Harris County’s ongoing effort to prioritize health transparency and preparedness. By making this information publicly available and easy to understand, HCPH aims to empower residents to stay proactive in safeguarding their families and communities from contagious respiratory illnesses.
For full access to the Harris County Respiratory Illness Dashboard and additional public health resources, visit publichealth.harriscountytx.gov.
Tiffany Krenek has been on the My Neighborhood News team since August 2021. She is passionate about curating and sharing content that enriches the lives of our readers in a personal, meaningful way. A loving mother and wife, Tiffany and her family live in the West Houston/Cypress region.
