Flu kills Walla Walla County resident. It’s WA’s 9th influenza death this season

Tri-City Herald staff
·1 min read
1

Walla Walla County reports it recorded its first flu-related death of the 2023-24 flu season.

The recent death comes one month after a Franklin County woman in her 70s became the first influenza victim in Washington state this season.

Information about the person who died in Walla Walla County was not made public.

The Washington state Department of Health reports levels of influenza-like illness in the state remain low at this point in the 2023-24 flu season.

Nine deaths in Washington state have been reported due to the flu, and nine outbreaks of flu-like illnesses in long-term care homes for the elderly have been reported so far this winter.

Locally, influenza is on the rise.

The Benton-Franklin Health District said hospitals in the Tri-Cities have seen a steady increase in patients with influenza in their emergency departments since early November. Twice as many flu patients were treated during the week of Dec. 10-16 as the week prior.

The Walla Walla County Community Health Department advises the public to stay up to date on vaccinations to help reduce the spread of respiratory illness.

  • Get an updated COVID-19, flu, and respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) vaccines. RSV vaccines are advised for those age 60 or older or pregnant.

  • Wash hands frequently with soap and water for at least 20 seconds.

  • If ill, should stay home and get tested for COVID-19 if symptoms warrant.

  • Order four free COVID-19 rapid tests at COVIDTests.gov.