“Early start may mean bad flu season ahead,” reads the headline in the Seattle Times, but so far the news in Washington is good — that’s a national wire story. The CDC’s flu map shows the worst outbreaks occurring on the East Coast — and Alaska. Here in Washington State, the flu is rated “sporadic,” below epidemic levels and tracking closely with the rate of the past two years at this time.
Still, the turning point may come as early as four to five weeks, as it did two years ago. Levels of immunity and good behavior (i.e., not passing the flu along to the office) can make all the difference.
On that note, more good news. The majority of confirmed cases, nationally and in Washington, are of the influenza A H3 variety, and the head of the CDC, Dr. Thomas Frieden, says this year’s flu shot is protecting well against those strains of the bug. (So far, the incidence of pertussis remains low, too.) Thanks to the state’s childhood vaccine program, a shot is free for anyone under 19 years old. (This map will list the vaccination providers near you.)
There’s still time to get a jump on the prevention; Accuweather’s flu forecast for Seattle claims this cool, rainy pattern doesn’t impact flu risk.
