The Interior Health Authority (IHA) is trying to slow the spread of influenza as outbreaks continue to be reported at care homes across the region. Since Sunday alone, outbreaks of either respiratory infection or gastrointestinal illness have been reported at seven different facilities.
“The outbreaks that we are seeing are severe because the circulating virus is influenza A (H3N2) and that has a significant impact on the elderly and senior population,” says Doctor Trevor Corneil, medical health officer with IHA.
While IHA is not releasing any numbers, for some seniors the illness has proved fatal.
“We see deaths from influenza and it’s an unfortunate outcome but it is one that we expect and this is why we go to the measures we do to keep people from getting influenza,” says Corneil.
While this year’s flu vaccine is not an exact match for the strain that is spreading, that has not prevented a big number of area residents from getting vaccinated.
“We actually have almost gone through all of our stock which is fantastic,” says Corneil. “That is about 60,000 doses which is significant.”
He says getting the flu shot is still the most effective way of preventing influenza.
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