Flu Kills Pierce County Man, Officials Warn Of Bad Flu Season

TACOMA, WA - Fifty Pierce County residents died during the 2016-17 flu season. So far this flu season, one person has already died, an indication this season might be just as bad as the last one.

A Pierce County man in his 70s died on Oct. 31, county health officials confirmed Thursday. The victim had existing medical issues that complicated his flu infection.

Still, health officials are taking the occasion to remind everyone to get a flu shot.

“People can underestimate the severity of the flu, especially for the elderly or others with compromised immune systems,” said county Communicable Disease Control Director Nigel Turner in a press release. “Everyone should get a flu shot to decrease the likelihood of an outbreak and increase community immunity."

Health officials said the county saw the same number of deaths last season as in the previous three flu seasons combined.

Flu spreads easily between people in close contact, which is one of the reasons why flu season peaks in winter. Aside from getting a flu shot, there are steps you can take to stay healthy. Here are the Tacoma-Pierce County Health Department's recommendations:

• Droplets made when people with the flu cough, sneeze, or talk carry the virus. These droplets can infect a person directly or through contact with contaminated surfaces or objects
• Wash your hands often with soap or use an alcohol-based hand sanitizer
• Cover your cough or sneeze
• Stay home if you’re sick

For more flu information, visit the health department's information page.

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