Thurston Co. reports first flu-related death of the season

Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) was notified of the county’s first flu-related death of the season.

The details of this case are not known at this time.

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As of Sept. 12, the state Department of Health reported 253 lab-confirmed influenza deaths for the 2025-26 influenza season in Washington.

According to PHSS, influenza A activity is low in the state but is “rising earlier than in recent years, making it important that everyone gets their updated influenza vaccination as soon as possible.”

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends that everyone six months and older get a yearly flu vaccine.

While most cases of the flu involve mild illness, young children, immunocompromised individuals, pregnant people, and people 65 and older are at risk for more intense symptoms, hospitalization, or death.

According to PHSS, in addition to getting the updated flu vaccine, you can lower your risk of illness and the spread of all respiratory viruses by doing the following:

• Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
• Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose where germs like to enter.
• Stay home when you’re sick (even if it is “just a cold”) and isolate sick household members in separate rooms.
• Wear a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated settings.
• Limit the number of close contacts for young infants and others at high risk.
• Clean high-touch surfaces frequently with a cleaner known to kill these viruses.

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