Flu season starting strong in Washington state

The Washington State Department of Health is warning flu season is already well underway, and is expected to a strong one.

Health officials have said they’ve already seen more people showing flu symptoms this year compared with the start of flu season last year, which officially began October 1.

The health department is expected to release preliminary figures Wednesday.

Officials are urging people to get flu vaccinations as soon as possible.

“The vaccine is highly effective,” Paul Throne, at the Washington state Department of Health told KING 5.

“The flu affects the lungs and the disease is so serious that people should always be sure to get the vaccine every year,” said Throne.

Flu can cause high fever, cough, headache, and muscle aches, and can lead to pneumonia and heart problems, according to the health department.

Officials recommend most people six months and older should get the vaccine. Elderly people, young people and people with underlying medical conditions are most at risk.

“It’s always hard to predict, but we do expect the flu this year will look similar to last year,” Throne said. “The strains of flu are the same as last year’s flu in the vaccine. That’s a good predictor of what we’re expecting to see in the public.”

The health department said it’s especially important for high-risk groups to get vaccinated including older people, young kids, pregnant women, healthcare professionals and caregivers, and people with certain medical conditions like, asthma, diabetes, heart disease, and neurological conditions.