MEDICINE HAT, AB — Despite more Albertans rolling up their sleeves for the flu shot, more cases have been reported already this year compared to last year.
The flu season usually starts in October and stretches through until March.
Flu shots are available throughout that time.
Already this year, our province has seen more confirmed cases. more hospitalizations and more deaths linked to influenza.
Dr. Lena Derie-Gillespie said it’s too early to speculate as to why we’re seeing higher numbers.
She said this may just be a case of an earlier flu season than last year, but said she’ll need to see data from the entire season to determine if this flu is worse than the one we saw last year.
“It’s very difficult to compare one season to another season because the season is not done yet, right? We know these flu seasons go on for many months and every year the peak of the season occurs at a different time,” she said.
We’re already seeing more than 1,000 confirmed cases of influenza than this time last year.
There have already been 459 reported hospitalizations, compared to 145.
And eight deaths, compared to the one seen at this time in 2016.
2016 2017
(as of Dec. 8, 2016) (as of Dec. 7, 2017)
Confirmed cases
of influenza 531 1,772
Hospitalizations 145 459
Deaths 1 8
Derie-Gillespie said there are a number of seniors facilities in the south zone currently dealing with an outbreak but said this isn’t anything new.
She said this happens every flu season and those facilities take the necessary precautions to help prevent the flu from spreading.
If there is an outbreak, signs will be posted to let visitors know and remind them about the importance of hygiene.
Seniors living in those facilities may have already had the FLUAD shot, different from the fluzone shot, which helps boost their immune systems and better protects their bodies.
Derie-Gillespie said it’s important everyone gets the flu shot, which contains four strains of the influenza virus.
“Now is the time to get immunized,” she said. “We don’t know what the rest of the pattern of this influenza season might look like, but we do know it’s not just going to stop tomorrow. There’s going to be new cases coming for quite some time.”
Derie-Gillespie adds hygiene and proper hand washing is also important and is reminding everyone to stay home if you’re sick.
