Influenza-Related Death Reported in Thurston County
CONTACT: Renae Miller, Public Information Supervisor, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services, (360) 463-0362 or renae.miller@co.thurston.wa.us; Dr. Jennifer Freiheit, Director, Thurston County Public Health and Social Services
Influenza-Related Death Reported in Thurston County
First Influenza-Related Death for 2026-2027 Flu Season
OLYMPIA –Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) was notified of the county’s first influenza-related death of the 2026-2027 influenza season. As of September 12, 2026, the Washington State Department of Health reported 253 lab-confirmed influenza deaths for the prior 2025-2026 season. You can view respiratory illness trends in Thurston County at www.thurstoncountywa.gov/respiratory-illnesses.
Influenza A activity is low in the state but is rising earlier than in recent years, making it important that everyone gets their updated influenza vaccination as soon as possible.
The CDC recommends that everyone 6 months and older get a yearly flu vaccine. People 65 years and older benefit even more from the higher-dose flu vaccines but should not delay vaccination if the standard dose is immediately available.
Individuals who get sick with flu symptoms should avoid contact with others, except to get medical care. While most people with flu have mild illness and do not need antiviral medications, those at increased risk, including young children, people 65 and older, pregnant people, and people with certain medical conditions, should seek care.
In addition to getting the updated flu vaccine, you can lower your risk of illness and the spread of all respiratory viruses by doing the following:
- Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds with soap and water or use hand sanitizer.
- Avoid touching your eyes, mouth, and nose where germs like to enter.
- Stay home when you’re sick (even if it is “just a cold”) and isolate sick household members in separate rooms.
- Wear a mask in crowded or poorly ventilated settings.
- Limit the number of close contacts for young infants and others at high risk.
- Clean high-touch surfaces frequently with a cleaner known to kill these viruses.
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