H3N2 flu outbreak at Winnipeg personal care homes

WINNIPEG — At least two people have died from the H3N2 flu influenza outbreak at Winnipeg personal care homes.

“They are definitely the most frail in the system and certainly when they are hit with the flu it hits them really hard,” said Gina Trinidad with the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, “we’re asking they postpone their visit to the personal care home and if they are feeling unwell themselves then to not visit.”

By Tuesday 31 out of the 39 PCHs had been hit hard by the flu, causing the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority to ask people to avoid visiting loved ones for now.

Trinidad says 74% of PCHs have or are currently experiencing illnesses, and higher than normal numbers of staff are falling ill.

If you must visit, the WRHA recommends you use hand sanitizer provided at each facility and wash your hands often.

Although 90 percent of residents at care homes get the flu shot, the health region can’t explain why there is an outbreak.

Officials believe the outbreak is at its peak.