By Taylor Chartrand

Flu season well underway in southern Alberta

Nov 16, 2018 | 11:38 AM

Medicine Hat AB. – The 2018-19 Influenza Program began a little over a month ago on October 15 and it has certainly had its effect on southern Alberta.

Alberta Health Services recently released their second flu-report for the season and the numbers are relatively mild within the region.

To date, there has been a total of 830,376 doses of influenza vaccine administered throughout Alberta. For the south zone, 67,872 people have be vaccinated to this point. 

Within our region, there has been a total of 33 confirmed cases of Influenza A, 1 case of Influenza B and only 2 people have been admitted to hospital.

There have been no reports of any patients who have died due to the flu thus-far. 

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Over the past three years, a total of 19 people have died in the southern zone due to the influenza virus. These are the lowest totals per zone over the previous three years. 

One thing we’ve certainly kept an eye on is the amount of confirmed influenza A and B cases throughout the years.

In 2015-16, there were 272 confirmed cases of influenza A. The next year, this number slightly increased in the south zone to 278. During the 2017-18 season, influenza A spiked to a whopping 417 people impacted.

Cases of influenza B have also been on a roller-coaster ride over the past three years.

After a confirmed 154 cases in 2015/’16, that number was nearly sliced in half the next year to 83. Just like influenza A, the number of confirmed cases for influenza B rose significantly last year to a total of 214 reported cases within the south zone.

The number of hospitalized patients also fluctuated over the three years. 2015-16 (128), 2016-17 (126) and 2017-18 (192).

The easiest way to prevent the speading of influenza is to get immunized. Past that, people should become accustomed to washing their hands more than normal or using hand sanitizer. 

When it comes to influenza, use common courtesy by covering your cough or sneeze into your arm or a tissue; not your hand. If you’re feeling terrible, be sure to not impact others by staying home. 

To find your nearest immunization clinic, click here.