Snohomish County, WA –

As of the first week of October, there have been two flu-related fatalities in Western Washington, prompting health officials and medical experts to alert the public about an unusually early flu season. They’re urging everyone to get vaccinated sooner than later.

The Snohomish County Health Department (SCHD) announced on Friday that a man in his 70s, who had pre-existing health conditions, was hospitalized due to influenza A—the most prevalent and severe strain—and unfortunately passed away on October 3.

Although the SCHD indicated that technically, the man contracted the flu at the tail end of last year’s 2025-26 season, they are treating this as the first local death of this early flu season for practical reasons.

Historically, reported flu-related deaths in the county do not occur until at least November, at least based on the previous three seasons.

In Thurston County, officials also reported a death related to influenza, although they didn’t provide specifics about the person. They noted, however, that there were no recorded influenza deaths in the months of October, November, or December during 2025.

Dr. George Diaz, Chief of Medicine at Providence Regional Medical Center in Everett, shared with KOMO News that this flu season has kicked off quite actively, alongside rising COVID-19 cases.

“In recent years, it seems like people have postponed their vaccinations during later flu seasons,” Diaz observed. “This year, we are definitely seeing a rise earlier than expected.”

He added that hospitals are nearing a threshold for COVID cases that would necessitate mask-wearing among healthcare workers. “Here at Northwest Healthcare, we recommend masking when COVID levels hit around 14.5%, and this past week, we were at about 12%,” Diaz explained.

The SCHD reported a total of 63 hospitalizations for influenza since August 30, including 31 cases in the last week alone, which is notably higher than typical for this time, along with the death reported from Edmonds.

“Flu can be serious and even fatal,” Diaz emphasized. “What we can do are basic preventative measures: get vaccinated, cover your cough, wear a mask when you’re sick, wash your hands, and stay home if you’re unwell.”

For the 2025-26 flu season, SCHD confirmed 24 influenza-related deaths and a little over 600 hospitalizations, which is significantly lower than the previous season’s record of 54 deaths and more than 860 hospitalizations.

Diaz advocates for getting vaccinated sooner rather than later, especially as more indoor gatherings loom. “The vaccine usually takes a few days to a week to kick in, and with COVID circulating a lot and flu on the rise, getting your shot sooner is definitely wise,” he advised.

Residents are encouraged to consult their primary care providers for vaccination options or stop by local pharmacies, many of which offer shots with proof of insurance. For a comprehensive list of clinics in Snohomish County providing vaccinations via insurance, walk-ins, or affordable options, you can see more information here.