3 flu deaths in Alberta so far this season: AHS

Alberta Health Services (AHS) says the province had recorded its first flu-related deaths of the season.

AHS released its latest report on the province’s 2019-20 influenza statistics on Thursday. The data showed one flu-related death in the Calgary zone, one in Edmonton and one in the north zone.

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

So far this season, there have been over 400 lab-confirmed cases of influenza A, over 450 lab-confirmed cases of influenza B, and 181 Albertans admitted to hospital with lab-confirmed influenza.

“It’s remarkable to me that even though we know every year people die of the flu, that people still don’t get their flu shot. So when we hear about these deaths, it really is a call to action.”

Tweet This Click to share quote on Twitter: "It's remarkable to me that even though we know every year people die of the flu, that people still don't get their flu shot. So when we hear about these deaths, it really is a call to action."

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Hu said the flu vaccine has been quite good at preventing the spread of the influenza B virus, proven to be about 70 per cent effective during the 2018-19 flu season.

“The thing about flu B is, it does tend to affect children more,” Hu said. “It can cause very serious illness, including hospitalization and death in children.”

Hu said it’s extremely important that people get flu shots to protect themselves and their loved ones.

If people do come down with the flu, Hu advised staying home to prevent the spread of the virus, as well as taking other steps to protect yourself and others during flu season.

“It’s important to wash your hands regularly,” Hu said. “If you’re going to cough, don’t cough on other people — cough into your arm or into your elbow.”

Over one-million Albertans have received flu shots, according to AHS.

Alberta clinics and pharmacies offer a four-strain influenza vaccine, which is produced by two manufacturers, to Albertans as young as six months.

AHS said there were 7,698 confirmed cases of influenza in Alberta last year, resulting in 52 deaths. Those numbers were lower than in 2017-18 when there were 9,609 cases and 92 deaths.

With files from Adam MacVicar