flu

As the flu season looms, new concerns about the H3N2 strain are making headlines, and health experts are sounding the alarm.

Health officials are reporting the first death of the 2023-24 flu season in Grant County. The Grant County Health District (GCHD) says the victim, whose gender and age were not released, had underlying health conditions. GCHD spokesperson, Lexi Smith, says the fatality coincides with the district's official announcement of the start of flu season, which is being recognized along with two other ill

During the 2022-23 flu season, the Washington State Department of Health says 262 residents died from the flu, ten times more than in 2021-22.  Why were flu rates so low the previous year? The WA DOH says 257 adults and five children di...

Flu numbers are a sharp contrast from the last flu season when cases were reported at record lows.

Everyone is encouraged to keep children home if they are sick, wash hands often, and avoid close contact with those who are sick.

There have also been at least two other flu deaths in the last week statewide - one each reported in Spokane and Snohomish counties.

Okanogan County Public Health says a child died from the flu, the first death from influenza in the County this season. In a statement OCPH Community Health Director, Lauri Jones said, “The flu strain currently circulating in our county and over the last several weeks is predominantly Influenza B, which has particularly hit our young people hard. We a...

The Washington State Department of Health says the flu vaccine is widely available and everyone from six months and older should get one before Halloween. Health Promotions Supervisor Danielle Koenig says it's hard to predict flu strain and activity but getting the shot is important...

State Health officials are saying that this year's flu vaccine is about 36 percent effective. Washington state’s Communicable Disease Epidemiologist Dr. Scott Lindquist says that is a reflection of the kind of flu virus that has been going around. ...

How sick is sick enough to stay home from school or work? With so many obligations, the decision can be tough – but it's also vitally important during flu season. Already, 20 people have died from the flu in Washington state this season, according to health officials. Doct...