One Acadiana family is encouraging people to obtain flu shots after losing two loved ones to the flu within one week of each other.

This virus that many people take lightly has already taken the lives of 13,000 people nationwide since October 2018.

The Blanchard Family lost their son, Nicholas Blanchard, nearly seven days after he contracted the flu.

 

Days later, their cousin, Erin Venable, who passed away from the same virus.

Ken Blanchard told KLFY, "Within just a very short period of time from the time she arrived at the hospital, she coded, they brought her back, and then right behind that she passed away",

 

According to Dr. Tina Stefanski with the Office of Public Health, the flu is still active in the Acadiana area.

She says the best protection against the flu is the shot.

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