News Flash

Health - Public Health News

Posted on: October 28, 2022

Whatcom County Sees First Influenza Death of the 2022-2023 Flu Season

Whatcom County recorded its first influenza (“flu”) death of the 2022-2023 flu season this week. Across the country, flu illness and death trends are much higher than in the last two years, and statistics suggest this winter could be worse than a typical pre-pandemic flu season.

 

“Looking at countries in the southern hemisphere that just had their winter flu season during our summer suggests that we will have a relatively severe flu season here also,” said Dr. Greg Thompson, Co-Health Officer with the Whatcom County Health Department. “During the past two years, preventive measures like masking and physical distancing not only blunted the worst impacts of COVID on our communities but also dramatically reduced the spread of respiratory viruses like influenza and RSV. Now that people are going back to pre-pandemic activities we are seeing a significant increase in flu and other respiratory diseases in the US.” 

 

The best way to protect yourself from the flu is to get a flu vaccine this fall. The flu vaccine is recommended for everyone six months and older. Find a flu vaccine provider at https://www.vaccines.gov/find-vaccines/ 

 

Some people are more likely to get very sick or die than others. These people are at the highest risk and are strongly encouraged to get a flu shot: 

  • Anyone 65 or older.
  • People with underlying health conditions like asthma, diabetes, or heart disease.
  • Pregnant people.
  • Kids younger than five.

 

People can get the flu at any time of the year, but most flu illness happens during the fall and winter. The exact date of the US flu season varies from year-to-year, but typically runs from about October through April. 

 

October is early for Whatcom County to experience its first flu death compared to previous seasons, according to Zachary Doobovsky, WCHD Public Health Nurse Supervisor. Peak flu activity is usually between December and February. 

 

Whatcom County flu deaths by winter season:

  • 2022-2023 Season: 1 (current season, one so far, occurred in October)
  • 2021-2022 season: 1 (previous season, death occurred in January 2022)
  • 2020-2021 season: 0
  • 2019-2020 season: 4
  • 2018-2019 season: 8
  • 2017-2018 season: 7 

 

Additional Resources:

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Health - Public Health News

March Pop-up Clinics

Posted on: February 28, 2023

February Pop-up Clinics

Posted on: January 30, 2023

January Pop-up Clinics

Posted on: December 29, 2022

December Pop-up COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

Posted on: November 28, 2022

November Pop-up COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

Posted on: October 31, 2022

October Pop-up COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

Posted on: October 3, 2022

Upcoming Free Septic Homeowner Trainings

Posted on: September 28, 2022

How to Report At-Home COVID-19 Test Results

Posted on: September 15, 2022

September Pop-up COVID-19 Vaccine Clinics

Posted on: September 2, 2022

What We Know About BA.2

Posted on: March 29, 2022