News Flash

Announcements

Posted on: December 2, 2019

Flu season arrives in Snohomish County

SNOHOMISH COUNTY, Wash. – Flu season is early this year but it’s not too late to protect yourself.

National Influenza Vaccination Week is Dec. 1-7, a good reminder for people to get their annual flu shot if they haven’t already. 

Flu vaccination is the best way to prevent the illness or make it less severe. It also helps reduce the spread of the flu and protects those more vulnerable to serious complications, including young children, pregnant women, older adults, or people with chronic health problems like heart or lung disease.

It can take about two weeks after vaccination for the antibodies that protect against the flu to develop, so it’s best to get vaccinated early in the season or before it starts. Children older than six months and adults should be vaccinated. Hundreds of millions of Americans have received flu vaccines over the last 50 years and extensive research has been done on the vaccine’s safety. 

Flu cases began picking up in Snohomish County in mid-November. The season typically peaks between January and March, but the timing and severity can vary from year to year. 

Three people have been hospitalized this season in Snohomish County. No deaths have been reported.

Last flu season, 26 deaths were reported and 362 people were hospitalized in Snohomish County.

Along with the annual vaccine, people can avoid spreading the flu by washing their hands thoroughly, covering their cough, and staying home if they feel ill. Around the holidays, it’s also important to remember never to prepare or serve food while sick.

While other respiratory illnesses like the common cold are also more frequent this time of year, the flu tends to strike abruptly with a higher fever and more severe symptoms. Residual cough and fatigue can last for weeks.

Information on symptoms, treatment and vaccination, along with weekly reports during flu season, are available online at www.snohd.org/flu.

An online tool to find a flu vaccine provider by ZIP code is available at www.snohd.org/155/Flu-Vaccine-Information.

The Snohomish Health District works for a safer and healthier community through disease prevention, health promotion, and protection from environmental threats. To read more about the District and for important health information, visit www.snohd.org.

Facebook Twitter Email

Other News in Announcements

New Respiratory Virus Dashboard Launches

Posted on: October 19, 2023

Updates on mask requirements

Posted on: March 7, 2023

Board of Health Meeting - December 13

Posted on: December 9, 2022

Board of Health Meeting - November 8

Posted on: November 4, 2022

Board of Health Meeting - October 11

Posted on: October 7, 2022

Board of Health Meeting - September 13

Posted on: September 12, 2022

Board of Health Meeting - July 12

Posted on: July 8, 2022

Board of Health Meeting - June 14

Posted on: June 10, 2022

Board of Health Meeting - May 10

Posted on: May 9, 2022

Board of Health Meeting - March 8

Posted on: March 4, 2022

Statewide Mask Orders to End March 21

Posted on: February 17, 2022

Board of Health Meeting - January 18

Posted on: January 15, 2022

Board of Health Meeting - December 14

Posted on: December 10, 2021

Board of Health Meeting - July 13

Posted on: July 12, 2021

Staying Healthy and Cool in the Heat

Posted on: June 25, 2021

Life After the Vaccines

Posted on: June 11, 2021

Board of Health Meeting - June 8

Posted on: June 7, 2021

Board of Health Meeting - May 11

Posted on: May 10, 2021

Board of Health Meeting - March 9

Posted on: March 8, 2021

Board of Health Meeting - February 9

Posted on: February 8, 2021

Play it Smart this Super Bowl Sunday

Posted on: February 5, 2021

COVID-19 Updates in Snohomish County

Posted on: December 22, 2020

COVID Vaccines Arrive in Snohomish County

Posted on: December 18, 2020

COVID-19 Updates in Snohomish County

Posted on: December 11, 2020

Give Thanks, Not COVID

Posted on: November 13, 2020

Board of Health Meeting - October 13

Posted on: October 12, 2020

Tips for Celebrating Halloween Safely

Posted on: September 30, 2020

Board of Health Meeting - September 8

Posted on: September 7, 2020

COVID-19 Drive-Thru Testing Update

Posted on: August 3, 2020

Board of Health Meeting - July 14

Posted on: July 13, 2020

Board of Health Meeting - June 9

Posted on: June 8, 2020

Board of Health Meeting, March 10

Posted on: March 9, 2020

Board of Health Meeting, December 10

Posted on: December 6, 2019

Prepare for Flu Season

Posted on: October 14, 2019

Board of Health Meeting, September 10

Posted on: September 9, 2019

Board of Health Meeting, July 9

Posted on: July 5, 2019

Board of Health Meeting, June 11

Posted on: June 10, 2019

Board of Health Meeting, May 14

Posted on: May 10, 2019

Board of Health Meeting, April 9

Posted on: April 5, 2019

Board of Health Meeting - July 13

Posted on: July 12, 2021