SPOKANE -- A 50-year-old woman from Spokane County died after contracting the H1N1 flu virus, the Spokane Regional Health District confirmed Monday Morning.
The district reports the seasonal flu has also arrived in Spokane, with two cases confirmed Monday as well. A health district spokeswoman says those cases come at a typical time of year for seasonal flu, between October and March. The number of cases of seasonal, or type B flu, tend to peak in late January into February.
"We have basic recommendations at this time," said Dr. Joel McCullough, Health Officer for the Spokane Regional Health Dist. "We want people to get a seasonal flu vaccination and the H1N1 vaccine if they are in a prioritized group."
McCullough says people can protect themselves against the spread of both the seasonal and the H1N1 flu viruses by taking precautions like washing their hands frequently, staying at home when sick, and covering their coughs and sneezes.
With confirmation of the first couple of cases of seasonal flu, the Spokane Regional Health Dist. has set up a seasonal flu hotline at (509) 324-1643.
