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The Spokesman-Review Newspaper
Spokane, Washington  Est. May 19, 1883

Flu Confirmed In 15 States, But It’s Not Too Late For Flu Shot

From Staff And Wire Reports

The first scattered cases of flu have shown up in five Western states, but health officials say it’s not too late to get that flu shot.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention in Atlanta says influenza has been confirmed in 15 states so far, including Washington, California, Montana, Alaska and Colorado.

Health officials in Utah also report cases of what appears to be flu, but the virus has not yet been confirmed.

In Washington, 11 cases have been reported so far, scattered in King, Jefferson, Whatcom, Okanogan, Whitman and Pierce counties, said Linda Waring, spokeswoman at the state Department of Health. They include nine cases of Type A-Wuhan and two cases of Type B, the strains for which this year’s flu vaccine was developed.

The CDC said cases in California, Montana, Alaska and Colorado also were sporadic, meaning there were isolated cases with no real outbreak.

Although health officials normally recommend getting a flu shot in September or October, Waring said it’s not too late.

The CDC agrees, especially recommending vaccinations for people 65 and older, people in nursing homes, children with asthma and anyone with a chronic illness.