WHATCOM COUNTY, Wash. — Whatcom County Health and Community Services issued the following statement today, Friday, February 21, 2025.
Right now, flu levels are the highest we’ve seen this winter. Here are some common-sense things you can do to keep yourself and your family safe.
“A high peak in flu cases means we’ll have high levels in the community for a while, so it’s not too late to get your flu shot,” said Dr. Amy Harley, Co-Health Officer at Whatcom County Health and Community Services. “We encourage everyone six months and older to get their flu shot to help protect themselves and our community.”
In addition to vaccination, the following preventive measures can help reduce the spread of influenza:
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Click for more informationGet Your Flu Shot: Getting a yearly flu vaccine is the best protection against flu infection for everyone 6 months or older.
Wash Your Hands: Keep your hands clean by washing them often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds. If soap isn’t available, use hand sanitizer.
Cover Your Coughs and Sneezes: Use a tissue or your elbow to cover your mouth and nose when you cough or sneeze. Throw away used tissues right away.
Stay Home If You’re Sick: If you have flu symptoms, stay home to avoid spreading the virus to others.
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Click for more informationClean Surfaces Regularly: Disinfect commonly touched surfaces in your home to help stop germs from spreading.
When to seek medical care:
If you or someone you are caring for is experiencing severe flu symptoms—such as difficulty breathing, seizures, severe muscle pain, dehydration, or a fever or cough that improves but then returns or worsens—you should contact a healthcare provider.
Use the emergency room only for severe symptoms or if you are at high risk for complications. For non-emergency issues, consider visiting an urgent care facility or your primary care provider.
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Click for more informationIf your symptoms are mild, it’s best to stay home and rest.
For more information about flu prevention, visit the Whatcom County Health and Community Services website.
– Whatcom County Health and Community Service
Washington Department of Health reports influenza-like illness activity in Washington is very high and there have been 143 lab-confirmed influenza deaths since early October as of February 8, 2025.
Whatcom County Health and Community Services reports there have been 7 influenza deaths in Whatcom County this season as of Saturday, February 15, 2025.
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