WINNIPEG: If you’re hearing more sniffles around the home or office, Manitoba Health says that’s likely because this has been an “above-average” flu season.
There have been 480 confirmed cases of the flu so far this year, and nine deaths; one in Winnipeg, two in the north and six from the Prairie Mountain Health Region.
Officials say part of the problem is the flu shot many took this year isn’t as effective as it’s been in the past.
“We had a virus, grew up a vaccine to it, and the vaccine shifted,” said Manitoba’s chief provincial public health officer, Michael Routledge, “We still think there is some effectiveness but its probably going to be less than normal, so that would suggest the year is going to be a bit busier.”
Flu cases across country have spiked due to a more virulent strain of the virus known as H3N2.
Routledge says its particularly hard on the elderly.
Of the nine deaths, seven were in people over 65 years of age.
Manitoba Health says those numbers don’t reflect the actual number of people infected with the virus.
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