Southwestern Public Health is reporting today the official arrival of flu season.
The health unit has been notified of a lab-confirmed case of Influenza A this week, the first such case this respiratory season.
Dr. Joyce Lock, Acting Medical Officer of Health cautions influenza can result in serious complications for some individuals, so it is important those at high-risk of complications get their flu shot as soon as possible.
Talk to your healthcare provider or a participating pharmacy to get vaccinated.
You can also protect your loved ones who may be at a high-risk of illness by staying home when you are unwell, washing your hands often, and covering your coughs and sneezes.
Individuals who are at a high-risk of complications from respiratory illnesses and priority populations have been eligible for COVID-19 and influenza vaccination in Ontario since October 28.
The health unit also has limited vaccination appointments for young children five and under. Book online at http://www.swpublichealth.ca/bookaflushot.
According to Health Canada, influenza and pneumonia are ranked among the top 10 leading causes of death in Canada. Each year there are approximately 12,200 hospitalizations and 3,500 deaths across Canada from influenza alone.
Common symptoms include fever, chills, cough, runny or stuffy nose, sore throat, headache, muscle or body aches, weakness, and fatigue. These symptoms can be severe and life-threatening for some individuals.
For more information about influenza, visit http://www.ontario.ca/flu.
You can also access local data about respiratory illnesses – including COVID-19 and influenza – through the health unit’s Respiratory Virus Activity Dashboard.
