Flu season tragic for some residents of Grant County

EPHRATA - Grant County Health Officer, Dr. Alexander Brzezny, has announced the end of the 2013-2014 influenza season, which brought tragedy to some families..

Grant County Health District (GCHD) received notification of 176 positive influenza lab reports, two influenza related deaths, and three influenza-like illness related deaths.

The GCHD partnered with five healthcare facilities to report positive influenza results to the Health District. In most circumstances, healthcare providers are not mandated to report influenza test results to GCHD

Brzezny said GCHD staff appreciated the cooperation from Columbia Basin Hospital, Confluence Health (Moses Lake Clinic), Mattawa Community Medical Clinic, Moses Lake Community Health Center, and Quincy Community Health Center.

"These reports assist GCHD with monitoring influenza activity in the county and timely notification to the healthcare community and the public when influenza is increasing in the community," Brzezny.

It is not uncommon for the influenza season to last into May, Brzezny said. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) stated the end of the 2013-2014 influenza season in mid May. Grant County continued to experience flu like illnesses into early June.