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Officials say the flu has killed three people in Snohomish County, raising the death toll statewide to six. (AP image)

Flu kills three more in Snohomish County

BY Josh Kerns  on January 7, 2013 @ 3:03 pm (Updated: 3:30 pm - 1/7/13 )

The death toll from this season's influenza outbreak has climbed to six in our state after the Snohomish Health District reported three people died last month in Snohomish County.

Officials say a Bothell woman in her 40's, an Everett woman in her 80's, and an Edmonds woman in her 80's all died in late December in Snohomish County hospitals. All had other underlying medical conditions.

"It's proving to be a much more severe season than in previous years," says Doctor Gary Goldbaum, Director of the Snohomish Health District.

The deaths follow three others reported by the Washington State Department of health in December in King and Pierce counties. Goldbaum says it's likely there have been more.

"We don't learn about them for several days or even weeks after a death. Sometimes it's only because it's been reported as a secondary condition that gets reported on a death certificate."

In addition to the deaths, the Health District reports 52 people have been hospitalized in two area hospitals with flu symptoms since Nov. 1 in the county. Last year at this time there were just four reported.

Goldbaum says the best defense is still a flu vaccine for everyone over six months of age, along with some common sense.

"Wash your hands often, stay home if you are sick, and cover your cough," he says.

Josh Kerns, MyNorthwest.com Reporter
Josh Kerns is co-host of KIRO Radio's Seattle Sounds (Saturday nights 7-8) and a digital content producer for MyNorthwest.com.
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Comments (3)


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  • ToldYa wrote...
    NEVER get a flu shot
    January 7, 2013 7:58 pm
    They are out dated and ineffective... Just say no.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • maplefish wrote...
    It's all about MONEY
    January 7, 2013 9:01 pm
    FUL-SHOTS are a SCAM!!!I find it fascinating that you can get Flu shots almost anywhere. Buy a Happy Meal - get a Flu-Shot...If this wasn't about Money why would Safeway, Walgreens, Rite-Aid, Albertsons, QFC, Starbucks...etc ADVERTISE LIKE CRAZY from September to May? You think they do it for the greater good? They make a S -load of money off this Community Feel-Good SCAM!!Get Your Flu-Shot Here??? Yeah, Right...It's all about the money. Wash your hands and if you're sick: STAY THE eF HOME!!!
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • Mo Gaud wrote...
    Three people died
    January 8, 2013 12:30 am
    in Sno Ho County of the flu last month. I wonder how many died last month of cancer, heart disease, kidney failure, liver disease?
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }