Health & Fitness
Pierce County Sees First Flu Death of the Season
The man who died was in his 60s and had other health issues, officials said.
GIG HARBOR, WA - A Pierce County resident in his 60s died from complications related to the flu on Monday, the first such death in the county of the flu season. Health officials said the man had preexisting health issues that contributed to his death.
Health officials have not said where the man lived, and has a policy not to release that type of information.
Even without preexisting health issues, flu is deadly, and health officials are urging residents to get a flu shot. Last flu season, 15 people in the county died from flu. Thousands of people in the U.S. die each year from the flu, which is a severe illness that causes fever, aches, chills, and respiratory issues.
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According to the Centers for Disease Control, flu cases are slightly higher in Washington state at the moment. Pierce County health officials said there were eight lab-confirmed cases of flu in the county as of Dec. 17.
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Find out what's happening in Gig Harborfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
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