2 die from flu in Tri-Cities area. Infection rate higher than WA state
AI-generated summary reviewed by our newsroom.
- Benton-Franklin Health District reports two flu deaths; ER flu visits exceed state rate.
- Vaccination rates lag: Benton 18.2% and Franklin 13.7%, statewide 24.7%.
- Health officials urge annual flu shots, hygiene and masks to curb spread.
The Benton Franklin Health District on Tuesday reported the first two deaths from influenza this season, as the flu virus has quickly spread through the Tri-Cities area.
Both victims were female residents of Benton County. Officials did not say if they were adults or children.
The latest statewide influenza report on Monday said 28 deaths of people with lab-confirmed flu infections have died statewide in the 2025-26 flu season.
It rated flu activity in Washington state as “high,” and its breakdown by region showed that the central region of the state, which includes Benton and Franklin counties, had the highest percentage of emergency room visits due to flu in the state at 9%.
That compares to 5% of emergency room visits because of flu in the Puget Sound region.
In Benton and Franklin counties, influenza peaked last week above levels for the last two seasons at close to 8% of emergency room visits, but had dropped to about 4.5% as of a Tuesday health district report.
That’s still higher than the percentage statewide or the percentages last year at this time for the two counties or the state.
If the current trend follows last season’s trend, cases could start to climb again through February.
“Influenza is spreading quickly in our community and can be deadly,” said Dr. Steven Krager, Benton-Franklin Health District officer, on Tuesday. “Our deepest sympathies go out to the families who have lost their loved ones.”
He strongly recommends vaccination as a way to protect not only individuals, but the community.
In the Tri-Cities, 18.2% of Benton County residents eligible for the vaccine and 13.7% of Franklin County residents eligible have been immunized in the current flu season. That is lower than usual, as of a week ago.
Statewide the rate is 24.7%, which is down 5.2% from last year.
The Benton Franklin Health District and Washington state Department of Health recommend that everyone ages 6 months and older, including those pregnant and nursing, should get the flu vaccine every year.
The vaccine is widely available at pharmacies and community health centers in the Tri-Cities area and children under age 19 can get free flu shots in Washington state.
The vaccine can reduce the severity of the illness if you get the flu and will lower chances of hospitalization.
It takes about two weeks for the flu vaccine to become fully effective.
The vaccine does not protect against other respiratory illnesses, such as COVID-19, RSV (respiratory syncytial virus) or colds.
Both COVID and RSV diagnoses are lower than usual for January in the Tri-Cities.
In addition to getting vaccinated, other steps to prevent flu include washing hands often, avoiding touching your face, covering your cough, disinfecting surfaces that may be contaminated, wearing a mask (indoors, in crowded areas and if ill) and having good ventilation.
The health district urges people who are sick to stay home.
Symptoms of the flu usually come on suddenly.
They can include fever, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, body aches, headaches and tiredness. Some people, usually children, may also have vomiting and diarrhea.
This story was originally published January 14, 2026 at 5:20 PM.