First local flu case confirmed

The region’s first confirmed case of seasonal flu has appeared, with a Stevens County resident diagnosed at Sacred Heart Medical Center in Spokane. Flu season usually runs from October through April, peaking in February, according to a news release from the Spokane Regional Health District and Northeast Tri County Health District. The health districts recommend that everyone 6 months and older gets a flu shot. Most people will only need a single shot to protect against seasonal flu as well as the H1N1 virus, or swine flu, the release said. At least 19 states have confirmed cases of flu.