Early start to flu season in Washington

An unusually early start to the flu season is raising alarms across western Washington. Health officials report that emergency room visits for flu-like illnesses have been climbing since August. We're seeing two deaths and hospitalizations this month alone in Snohomish County. Fox 13's Frankie Thompson spoke with public health leaders about the unexpected surge. According to the CDC guidelines, the official 2026-2027 flu season technically started on October 4th. But here in Snohomish County and throughout the region, the virus clearly doesn't wait for the calendar. The only thing predictable about flu is that it's unpredictable. The State Department of Health says emergency department visits for flu-like illnesses started climbing back in mid-August, a trend usually not seen until late fall. Different seasons have different strains of influenza that circulate and they kind of have a mind of their own as to when they start. so we can't really control when flu season starts. The health department in Pierce County says emergency room visits are matching Thanksgiving levels. The Snohomish County Health Department reports 63 flu hospitalizations since late August, levels usually reserved for December. This is way earlier than we would normally expect to see flu increase. Not only is it early, but it's also starting on the west coast and moving eastward, which normally flu, we see the first uptick in the southeast part of the country and then it moves up northwest and west. The early wave of the virus has already turned deadly. Snohomish County has recorded two flu-related deaths in October. Officials say one of them reported this week. King County reported nine flu-related deaths in late September, the same time Thurston County also recorded one flu death. We're also seeing, along with the flu increase, there has been an increase in COVID infections as well. What's driving the early arrival of the flu virus is still too early to determine, But health leaders stress that getting vaccinated is their biggest suggestion. In the past, you know, people have waited often until October because the flu doesn't really start taking off in earnest until November. But this year, the flu is already here and we may see a really early peak. And so now's the time to get your flu vaccine. In addition to getting the flu shot, public health leaders are reminding everyone to wash hands frequently, wear a mask in crowded spaces and stay home if feeling sick. reporting in Everett, Frankie Thompson, FOX 13 News.