Influenza-Related Death Reported in Thurston County

THURSTON COUNTY, Wash. — The Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) disclosed on Wednesday that a resident has died due to influenza, amidst elevated flu activity across Washington state.

According to the Washington State Department of Health, there have been 39 flu-related deaths statewide this season, marking a significant rise compared to just five deaths reported around this time last year.

PHSS advised, “Individuals who experience flu symptoms should remain at home and limit contact with others, except when seeking medical care. Most people will deal with mild illness and may not require medical attention or antiviral drugs, but certain populations—such as young children, seniors over 65, pregnant individuals, and those with specific health conditions—are at a higher risk for severe complications.”

Health officials conveyed that every year, flu-related hospitalizations number in the hundreds of thousands in the U.S. Currently, flu-like illnesses are prevalent in Washington, with the influenza A strain being the most common one circulating.

For those interested, PHSS has an annual updated Influenza Dashboard that offers details on emergency room visits, hospitalizations, outbreaks, and deaths related to the flu.

Additionally, health officials are urging residents to stay current on flu vaccinations and to adopt preventive measures to limit the spread of respiratory illnesses. This includes practicing good hygiene and staying home when feeling unwell.

PHSS also listed several recommendations for families to mitigate the risk of illness and curb the transmission of respiratory viruses:

• Wash hands regularly for at least 20 seconds with soap and warm water, or use hand sanitizer if soap isn’t available.
• Avoid touching your face, particularly the eyes, mouth, and nose, since that’s how germs enter the body.
• Stay home when sick, even with mild symptoms, and try to isolate sick family members.
• Wearing a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated areas is advised.
• Limit close contact with young infants and anyone with chronic health issues.
• Frequently clean high-touch surfaces with effective disinfectants.
• If you’re in a high-risk group, it’s recommended to consult a healthcare provider upon developing flu symptoms.