Three more influenza deaths reported in Washington

Three more people have died from the flu in Washington, bringing the total reported state deaths to six, health officials said Monday.

The Snohomish Health District reported three deaths in late December in Snohomish hospitals: a Bothell woman in her 40s, an Everett woman in her 80s and an Edmonds woman in her 80s. All three had underlying medical conditions.

State health officials believe the six influenza deaths reported across the state are likely a fraction of the total because only laboratory-confirmed flu deaths are reportable.

Health Department spokesman Donn Moyer said there are likely more deaths where flu played a role but the person was not tested for influenza.

In late December, state health officials reported three other laboratory-confirmed deaths: a Pierce County boy younger than 12 years old, a King County man in his 80s and a King County woman in her 70s.

Health officials are urging everyone older than 6 months to get a flu shot, wash their hands often and stay home if they are sick.