First Spokane-area flu case confirmed

A man in his 40s recently was confirmed to have the first Spokane-area case of the flu, a news release from the Spokane Regional Health District said. Health district officials are reminding the public that getting a flu shot is the best way for people to protect themselves. “There is plenty of vaccine,” said Dr. Joel McCullough, health officer for district. Last season, 138 people were hospitalized due to the flu in Spokane County. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimate that from the 1976-1977 season to the 2006-2007 season, flu-associated deaths ranged from a low of about 3,000 to a high of about 49,000 people, the release said. The district recommends that people 6 months of age and older get immunized. The vaccine promotes antibody protection within two weeks.