Washington flu deaths hit total for last year as season winds down

Washington has hit 281 flu season deaths for the 2017-2018 season, reaching the total from the entire 2016-17 season.

The numbers, released by the Washington Department of Health Friday, include flu deaths and hospitalizations through April 21.

After an uptick in influenza B cases in March, flu diagnoses and deaths have fallen off again in April, suggesting flu season is winding down.

Forty people in Spokane County have died from the flu this season.