Alberta Health officials are urging people to get immunized as an influenza outbreak strikes Southern Alberta. Dr. Vivien Suttorp, the medical officer of health for the South Zone says it won’t offer 100 per cent protection but could be effective in preventing the spread of the virus.
In Alberta
224 cases of influenza
210 of those were H1N1
In the South Zone
8 cases of influenza
5 of those H1N1
The high number of H1N1 cases has health officials worried. The potency of this has resulted in three deaths in Calgary and several dozens of Albertan’s to be hospitalized.
“The predominant strain is influenza “A” and in the last three weeks we were seeing H1N1, which was the pandemic strain,” said Dr. Vivien Suttorp, Medical Officer of Health for Alberta Health Services South Zone.
According to Alberta Health more Albertans are rolling up their sleeves for the flu vaccine. Health experts say the flu will spike during the Christmas holidays and urge Southern Albertan’s not to wait for their vaccines. You are encouraged to visit your doctor, a pharmacy or call public health to receive a flu shot.
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