Flu Activity Remains High in Travis County as City Council Reviews Mental Health Care Access
Austin, TX – March 10, 2026 – Flu activity remains high in Travis County with six deaths this season as City Council reviews care for uninsured residents.
Influenza activity in Travis County remains elevated, with Austin Public Health reporting six adult flu-associated deaths so far this season and multiple outbreaks in schools or long-term care facilities. The update comes as local leaders also review how mental health services are delivered to low-income and uninsured residents.
Flu Season Continues Across Austin
According to Austin Public Health’s latest respiratory disease surveillance update, influenza activity in Texas is considered high, reflecting statewide and national trends. In Travis County, officials report six adult influenza-associated deaths this season.
The local report also notes five flu outbreaks in settings such as schools or long-term care facilities. Health officials emphasize that surveillance data are used to track trends and do not capture every individual case.
Respiratory viruses typically remain active through late winter. Austin Public Health continues to monitor flu levels and publish updates as part of its regular reporting.
City Leaders Review Mental Health System for Uninsured Residents
On March 4, the Austin City Council’s Public Health Committee received a briefing on the mental health system of care for low-income and uninsured residents in Travis County. Representatives from Central Health, CommUnityCare Health Centers and Integral Care were scheduled to provide updates.
The briefing also included information on the 2025 Austin-Travis County Community Health Assessment, presented by Austin Public Health. Committee discussions help shape how city leaders evaluate service gaps, care coordination and access challenges across the local safety-net system.
For many uninsured or underinsured residents, these publicly supported systems serve as primary entry points for behavioral health care, primary care and specialty referrals.
What Residents Should Know
Austin Public Health continues to publish respiratory illness data on its website, including updates on influenza trends. Residents can review meeting materials and agendas from the City Council Public Health Committee through the City of Austin’s official site.
Local safety-net providers, including CommUnityCare and Integral Care, offer services for residents who meet eligibility requirements. Information on enrollment and clinic locations is available through each organization.
If you have urgent symptoms, seek medical care. For general questions, talk with a licensed clinician.
Sources
- https://www.austintexas.gov/department/respiratory-diseases
- https://www.austintexas.gov/department/city-council/2026/20260304-phc.htm
- https://www.centralhealth.net/event/a-quorum-of-the-central-health-board-of-managers-city-of-austin-public-health-committee-central-health-communitycare-integral-care-briefing/
