Influenza has claimed its first Idaho victim this season.

The Idaho Department of Health and Welfare reported Thursday that a southern Idaho man older than 50 died from a flu-related illness.

"We’d like to express our condolences to the family of the man who died,” said Dr. Leslie Tengelsen, Idaho Department of Health and Welfare’s State Influenza Surveillance coordinator. "This underscores the idea that influenza is in our communities, as well as how important it is for all of us to take precautions to avoid influenza infection, which can be serious for even otherwise healthy people. Now is the time to visit your health care provider, local public health district or pharmacy to get vaccinated. Getting vaccinated today will help protect you and your family over the holidays and for the rest of the influenza season."

Panhandle Health District public information officer Melanie Collett said PHD officially declared flu season in North Idaho in mid-December. Flu season is declared when 10 percent or more of influenza tests come back positive for two consecutive weeks. Collett said the staff epidemiologist reported a significant spike in positive tests in the region in the past couple weeks.

"That's when we know that flu season starts," Collett said. "We also monitor school absences and can get a good picture of how the flu season is faring when it starts and when it's dying down."

Two flu-related deaths occurred in the five northern counties last flu season, Collett confirmed. Both victims were older than 50.

"It's definitely flu season and it's not too late to get vaccinated," she said. "The flu vaccine is the best way to protect yourself from the flu and it also protects your community so those who are too young or have some kind of immune problem are protected."

Influenza is a contagious respiratory illness that infects 5-20 percent of the population each year. Symptoms include fever, headache, fatigue and sometimes a sore throat and cough. People usually recover in a few days, but some develop complications. It can be deadly; the flu claims about 36,000 lives across the nation each year and causes more than 200,000 hospitalizations.

Health and Welfare states the most vulnerable population is pregnant women, people 50 and older, people with chronic medical conditions such as asthma, diabetes or heart or lung disease, those who live in care facilities and people who live with or care for those at high risk for flu complications.

Tengelsen advised people to follow these recommendations to protect themselves and others:

• Cover your mouth and nose with a tissue when coughing or sneezing to prevent infecting other people. Avoid people who appear sick.

• Stay home from work or school when sick.

• Wash hands frequently, especially after being out in the public. Avoid touching the eyes, nose and mouth until hands are washed.

• Get plenty of rest, drink plenty of liquids, eat nutritious foods and take part in physical activity to stay healthy.

"If there's an underlying condition, flu can be very serious," Collett said. "It might not seem that serious for us young healthy adults, but for those younger and older people with compromised immune systems, it can be very serous."

Flu season varies year to year and can last through May. During flu season, PHD conducts proactive surveillance and talks to labs, hospitals and schools to see if concerns arise.

Collett said flu shots are available at PHD and are generally covered by insurance. PHD also offers a sliding scale fee.

PHD is located at 8500 N. Atlas Road in Hayden.