CALGARY- It’s being called the worst outbreak of H1N1 in Calgary, since the pandemic in 2009 that killed tens of thousands of people around the world.
There are 249 confirmed flu cases in the Calgary area—and it’s believed 220 of them are due to H1N1. 111 people have had to be hospitalized, with some ending up in the intensive care unit. Three have died since August.
“What we are seeing this year is more people with severe illnesses, some requiring intensive care, with the particular strain we’re seeing,” explains Dr. Judy MacDonald from Alberta Health Services.
Only about 150,000 people have received the flu shot in the Calgary area, which health professionals say is frustrating.
“I don’t quite understand why they don’t,” MacDonald says. “Maybe they don’t think influenza is serious, but when we get people getting influenza every year, and some have serious consequences, it’s important people step forward.”
People are now scrambling to get their flu shots, with a long line winding out the door of the Brentwood clinic on Friday afternoon.
“We’ve been putting it off,” says Amy Giles, who was at the clinic with her two daughters. “They’ve been sick this fall, but hearing about it in the news—it’s time.”
Clinics will be open this weekend, click here for more information.
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