Idaho’s first influenza-related death of the influenza season occurred last week in a northern Idaho woman.

“The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare is reminding residents that flu can be serious,” said Randi Pedersen, the Idaho Influenza Surveillance Coordinator. “The most important action to take to prevent serious illness is to get a flu vaccine now.”

Last year’s flu season was particularly deadly, resulting in a record 101 influenza-related deaths in Idaho.

That number was quadruple the average of 25 deaths each season over the last decade.

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