Mar 10, 2025 - News

Washington flu risk remains "very high"

Christine Clarridge

Illustration of a thermometer with three plus signs on it — Illustration: Sarah Grillo/Axios

Flu illnesses are declining in Washington after one of the most deadly influenza seasons in recent years, but activity remained "very high" in March, according to the state Department of Health.

Driving the news: Two children in King County — an elementary-age child and a preschool-age child — died in February from flu complications, marking the county's first pediatric flu deaths this season, Public Health-Seattle & King County reported last week.

By the numbers: Flu cases peaked in the first half of February when 6% of hospital beds were occupied by flu patients, dropping to about 3% by March 9, per DOH's respiratory illness dashboard.

258 flu-related deaths have been confirmed so far for the 2024 to 2025 season, compared to 132 last year, per DOH's weekly update.
197 flu outbreaks have been reported in long-term care facilities this season.
Flu-like illnesses accounted for 5% of doctor visits in early March, more than double the baseline, with over 1 in 5 flu tests in Washington coming back positive.

The big picture: Nationally, this is the worst flu season in 15 years, with estimates from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention of at least 29 million cases, the most since the 2009-2010 flu season, Axios' Tina Reed reported.

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Washington flu risk remains "very high"

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