Two deaths of Lewis County residents that occurred the week of Dec. 25, 2022, have been linked to influenza, according to county Health Officer Dr. Joe Wiley.
The residents are not being named by the county. Both were over 65 years old and both had “underlying health conditions,” according to a news release. Meja Handlen, director of Lewis County Public Health & Social Services, told The Chronicle it took a few weeks for the deaths’ links to influenza to be confirmed.
“We are saddened by the loss of our community members and extend our deepest condolences to their families and friends,” said Handlen.
They were the first deaths in Lewis County from the flu this season, which Wiley said started earlier late last year than most of Washington’s flu seasons. The season could potentially last until April, he said, but a downward trend in cases has Wiley remaining hopeful.
“The good news is,” he said, citing the state Department of Health, “The recent wave of influenza, especially influenza A, that we’ve seen in our county, our state and our nation in November and December, appears to be receding.”
During a Monday Board of Health meeting, Wiley said this flu season was not necessarily “massive” compared to most years, but that an already-low workforce of health professionals dealing with the wave meant significant strain on hospitals and emergency rooms. He cautioned, “there could be another outbreak of influenza before the season is out.”
Wiley mentioned concern that vaccine “hesitancy” from COVID-19 had “spilled over” into hesitancy over flu shots and even standard childhood vaccinations.
“The best defense against flu is getting yourself and everyone in your family over the age of 6 months vaccinated every year,” Wiley stated in the news release. “Even if you think you’ve already had the flu this season, I still recommend getting the flu shot as you are still at risk for getting another strain.”
He added the community should work together to protect vulnerable populations including young children, older adults, pregnant people and folks with underlying health conditions.
The county’s release also listed measures to prevent and protect others this flu season, including staying home when feeling sick, washing hands regularly and wearing a high-quality, well-fitting mask when in indoor public spaces.
For vaccine location information, residents are encouraged to contact their primary care provider, community health clinic, pharmacy, visit www.vaccines.gov or call 1‐800‐322‐2588.
