Washtenaw County has already submitted its order for flu shots for the beginning of the next flu season.

Every year, those orders go out around February or March. Such was the case when scientists began receiving reports in Mexico last April about a strain of swine flu, or H1N1 flu, that appeared to be spreading among humans.

A look at an H1N1 flu vaccine clinic in Washtenaw County earlier this season.

It was too late to incorporate a new strain into the flu shots already being developed. That resulted in recommendations that as many people as possible - depending on their risk - get both the seasonal flu shot and the additional H1N1 flu vaccine.

"Unless a new strain shows up, there will only be one flu shot this upcoming year," said Laura Bauman, epidemiologist for the county.

Although the last reported case of H1N1 flu in Washtenaw County was more than a month ago, officials are keeping a close eye on flu activity in southeastern states like Georgia and Alabama. A recent uptick in H1N1 flu cases has caused officials to address concerns of a third wave of cases spreading throughout the country.

In Washtenaw County, the illness caused 80 residents to be hospitalized, two adult deaths and no child deaths. Officials are hopeful the final wave of the flu strain has swept through the county, despite the rise in cases in other states.

"So far, we haven't seen any spillover here, which we were concerned about because of spring break travel," Bauman said.

Tina Reed covers health and the environment for AnnArbor.com. You can reach her at tinareed@annarbor.com, call her at 734-623-2535 or find her on Twitter @TreedinAA.