Thurston County, Washington

The content on the Thurston County website is currently provided in English. We are providing the “Translation” for approximately 10 languages. The goal of the translation is to provide visitors with limited English proficiency to access information on the website in other languages. The translations do not translate all types of documents, and it may not give you an exact translation all the time. The translations are made through an automated process, which may not result in accurate or precise translations, particularly of technical and legal terminology.
County Contacts
Logo

Thurston County Washington

Influenza Related Death Reported in Thurston County

January 21, 2026
Thurston County Full Color Logo

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 2025-2026 Flu Season  

OLYMPIA –Thurston County Public Health and Social Services (PHSS) was notified of an influenza-related death of a Thurston County resident. To date, the Washington State Department of Health has reported 39 lab-confirmed influenza deaths for the 2025-2026 season, higher than the 5 reported this time last season. 

Individuals who get sick with flu symptoms should stay home and avoid contact with others, except to get medical care. While most people with flu have mild illness and do not need medical care or antiviral medications, certain people are at increased risk of serious complications, including young children, people 65 and older, pregnant people, and people with certain medical conditions. 

Every year, hundreds of thousands of people in the United States are hospitalized from flu-related illnesses. Influenza-like illness activity in Washington is currently high, with influenza A being the most common strain circulating.  

To see Thurston County’s Influenza data, check out the annually updated Influenza Dashboard, which details emergency room visits, hospitalizations, outbreaks, and deaths for the influenza respiratory illness season.  

Monitor Thurston County respiratory illness trends at www.thurstoncountywa.gov/respiratory-illnesses, and for more information on how to protect yourself from influenza, visit the Washington State Department of Health.  

In addition to getting the updated flu vaccine, there are several things you and your family can do to lower your risk of illness and the spread of all respiratory viruses, including the following: 

  • Wash your hands often for at least 20 seconds with sudsy soap in warm water, or with hand sanitizer if soap and water are not available. 
  • 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 individuals with certain chronic conditions. 
  • Clean high-touch surfaces frequently with a cleaner known to kill these common viruses.  
  • People in higher-risk groups are recommended to contact their healthcare provider if they develop flu symptoms. 
Public Health and Social Services
Press Release
Announcements