Flu death toll rises to 8 in Snohomish County

Published 1:30 am Saturday, January 14, 2017

EVERETT — This year’s influenza epidemic has now killed eight people in Snohomish County and 46 people statewide.

The Snohomish Health District announced the three most recent flu deaths Friday evening. They are a man in his early 70s from Everett, a woman in her early 90s from Mountlake Terrace and a man in his late 60s from Everett.

All had health problems that made them more vulnerable to complications from the flu, according to the health district.

Some 176 people have been hospitalized in Snohomish County this flu season. Fifteen long-term care facilities have reported flu outbreaks to the health district. Three schools are reporting student absenteeism of 10 percent or more with flu-like symptoms.

Flu symptoms include sudden fever, cough, sore throat, headache, body aches and fatigue.

More information on flu, including when to seek medical care, is available on the Snohomish Health District website at www.snohd.org/flu.

Sharon Salyer: 425-339-3486; salyer@heraldnet.com.