Flu season has finally arrived in Washington

Washington health officials say the flu season has finally
arrived in the state.

Influenza usually peaks in February in Washington, so it’s
a little later than usual this year.

“It’s been pretty late, even up to Christmas and New
Years, we hardly saw any flu,” said Tim Church with the
Washington State Health Department. “But now it is
widespread across the state so it’s a good time for people
to be thinking about it and take some precautions.”

Health Secretary Mary Selecky says it’s not too late to be
vaccinated.

“Often people hear the flu and they think, ‘oh that’s a
bad cold or a stomach ache.’ It really is much more than
that,” said Church. “We want people to remember that and
be protected if they can be.”

To avoid spreading the flu, people should wash their
hands, cover their cough, and stay home if they’re sick.

Church said the season could last through April, possibly
into May.

The Associated Press contributed to this report.