Flu picking up in Wyoming, officials urge vaccination

Health officials in Wyoming are urging people to get vaccinated against influenza following an unusually large number of flu deaths last winter.

The Wyoming Department of Health said Thursday the number of flu cases so far this season remains low, but they’re beginning to pick up.

Flu is a contagious, viral respiratory illness. Last winter, 27 people died of flu-related illness in Wyoming. It was the deadliest flu season in Wyoming since the winter of 2014-15.

The Casper Star-Tribune reports 18 of the 27 flu-related deaths in Wyoming last season were people over 65, though one child was among those who died.

State Epidemiologist Alexia Harrist says nearly everybody age 6 months or older should get a seasonal flu shot.