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Alberta flu death toll hits 17 for 2016-17 season

A person gets a shot during a flu vaccine program in Calgary on Oct. 26, 2009. A study has found that people who live in provinces that allow pharmacists to give flu shots are more likely to get vaccinated against the seasonal bug than those living in jurisdictions without such a policy.
A person gets a shot during a flu vaccine program in Calgary on Oct. 26, 2009. A study has found that people who live in provinces that allow pharmacists to give flu shots are more likely to get vaccinated against the seasonal bug than those living in jurisdictions without such a policy. Jeff McIntosh / The Canadian Press

Alberta has recorded 17 flu-related deaths so far during the 2016-17 season.

On Thursday, Alberta Health Services (AHS) released its latest report on the province’s influenza statistics. The data showed five flu-related deaths in the south zone, five in Calgary, two in Edmonton, four in the central zone and one in the north zone.

AHS doesn’t provide any details on the deaths (other than where they occurred) due to privacy concerns.

The first flu-related death in Alberta was reported in Calgary in a report released on Dec. 1.

So far this season, there have been over 2,100 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza A, 27 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza B, and 672 Albertans admitted to hospital.

Over a million Albertans have received flu shots.

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According to AHS, 62 flu-related deaths were reported in Alberta during the last flu season.

Alberta flu death toll hits 17 for 2016-17 season - image

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