Watch the video above: Influenza linked to three deaths in Saskatchewan
SASKATOON – The flu season in Saskatchewan has turned deadly.
Health officials in the province confirmed on Friday three people have died after contracting the influenza.
The victims are two children under the age of five and a middle-aged person. Their names and locations have not been made public.
All three had underlying health conditions prior to contracting the flu and officials can’t say if the flu was the primary reason behind their deaths.
So far, there have been 161 confirmed influenza cases in Saskatchewan, including 31 people in Saskatoon who required hospitalization, 22 since Dec. 23.
Officials with the Saskatoon Health Region say cases of influenza, including H1N1, are on the rise and a free mass immunization clinic will be held on Saturday, Jan. 11 from 12:30 p.m. to 4 p.m. at West Winds Primary Health Centre.
“The vaccine is effective in preventing the dominant strain of influenza observed, which is H1N1,” says Deputy Medical Health Officer Dr. Shovita Padhi.
“Getting your influenza immunization is the best tool we have at our disposal to protect yourself, your family and others.”
Between October and December 2013, 69,912 people were immunized at clinics, physician’s offices, medical practices, senior residences and through occupational health and safety offices.
Influenza is a serious and highly infectious respiratory illness which is typically associated with fever and chills, cough, muscle aches, headache, fatigue and runny nose.
The disease affects up to one in five Canadians in any given year. People with pre-existing medical conditions and adults over 65 years old can experience serious illness and even death.
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