3 more influenza deaths in Washington

January 7, 2013 @ 3:25 pm

SEATTLE (AP) - Three more people have died from the flu in Western Washington, bringing the total of reported state deaths to six, health officials said Monday.

The Snohomish Health District reported three deaths in late December in Snohomish hospitals: a Bothell woman in her 40s, an Everett woman in her 80s and an Edmonds woman in her 80s. All three had underlying medical conditions.

State health officials believe the six influenza deaths reported across the state so far are likely just a fraction of the total, because only laboratory-confirmed flu deaths are reportable.

Health Department spokesman Donn Moyer said there are likely more deaths where flu played a role but the person was not tested for influenza.

In late December, state health officials reported three other laboratory-confirmed deaths: a Pierce County boy under 12 years old, a King County man in his 80s and a King County woman in her 70s.

Health officials are urging everyone over 6 months old to get a flu shot, to wash their hands often and to stay home if they are sick.

People at high risk of complications from the flu include young children, people 65 and older, pregnant women and women who recently gave birth, and people with certain medical conditions like asthma or diabetes.

____

Online:

Department of Health: http://is.gd/D8zYOj


(Copyright 2013 The Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.)
More Local News
Top Stories
MyNorthwest.com - Purpose of Comments statement
Bonneville Media encourages site users to express their opinions by posting comments. Our goal is to maintain a civil dialogue in which readers feel comfortable. At times, the comments can descend to personal attacks. Please do not engage in such behavior. We encourage your thoughtful comments which: have a positive and constructive tone, are on topic, are respectful toward others and their opinions. Bonneville reserves the right to remove comments which do not conform to these criteria.

Comments (1)


  • Add A Comment

  • jillbur913 wrote...
    Flu Shots
    December 27, 2012 3:02 pm
    "This year's vaccine was well-matched to the current strains". This is an interesting statement. Makes me wonder which came first, the chicken or the egg? Could it just possibly be that the flu shots are in fact creating each year's current strains? More over, it has been reported that the flu vaccine is widely over-hyped and really doesn't work any better than washing your hands often. http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2012/11/05/reassessing-flu-shots-as-the-season-draws-near/ Personally, I was the sickest I had ever been the year I got a flu shot, so I avoid them because I feel that it lowered my resistance - but that's just me - a lot of people swear by them. Food for thought folks.
    { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }
  • { "Thumbs Up":"1","Thumbs Down":"-1" }