Medical officials around the region want you to consider getting vaccinated
Southwestern Public Health is reminding residents that it is not too late to get vaccinated against influenza, following a significant increase in cases after the holidays, including new outbreaks in long-term care facilities.
Public health officials say local data shows a high risk of transmission, with the latest dashboard reporting a flu test positivity rate of 33.9 per cent — higher than the previous two flu seasons. Influenza A (H3N2) is the dominant strain, and historically, elevated activity has continued into February and March.
“Influenza A can cause severe illness in young children, older adults, individuals who are pregnant, and people who are immunocompromised,” said Dr. Ninh Tran, Southwestern Public Health’s medical officer of health. “It’s not too late to get the flu shot, especially as children are now back in the classroom.”
In addition to vaccination, public health officials are encouraging residents to take other preventive measures, including frequent handwashing, covering coughs and sneezes, staying home when sick, cleaning high-touch surfaces, and wearing a mask in crowded or enclosed spaces.
“It’s the combination of these efforts that makes a difference,” Tran said, noting residents should also be aware of flu symptoms such as fever, chills, cough, sore throat, runny or stuffy nose, headaches, muscle aches, and fatigue.
Serious complications from influenza can include pneumonia, worsening of chronic conditions, heart complications, respiratory failure, hospitalization, and death. Residents are urged to seek medical attention if symptoms worsen, breathing becomes difficult, dehydration occurs, or fever is high and persistent.
