Health officials are encouraging Manitobans to get their flu shot this winter as confirmed cases of the flu continue to rise.
Manitoba Health reports 343 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza A and one laboratory-confirmed case of influenza B in the province to Jan. 1. Forty new cases of influenza A were reported during the week of Dec. 26 to Jan. 1. Manitoba Health is also reporting one laboratory-confirmed case of H1N1 influenza. The number of positive lab tests is not necessarily indicative of the actual number of cases, most of which are not tested for influenza. Also, they do not indicate severity of illness.
Each health region in Manitoba has confirmed flu cases, ranging from a high of 124 in the Winnipeg health region to a low of two each in the Brandon and Churchill health regions. Cases have come from all age groups, with the highest number (58 cases) in the 79 and over age group and the lowest number (nine cases) in the 15 to 19 year age group.
To Jan. 1, there have been 34 hospitalizations, six admissions to intensive-care units and three deaths. Influenza-related deaths should be interpreted with caution, as an underlying cause of death may or may not be directly related to the lab-confirmed positive influenza diagnosis. The hospitalizations and deaths noted are only those with positive lab tests and do not constitute all hospital admissions or deaths in which influenza may have been a factor.
As the flu season could last several more weeks, Manitobans are encouraged to get a flu shot to protect themselves and those around them. This year’s flu shot safely and effectively targets the three main types of influenza that have been seen in Manitoba and Canada this flu season, which include A/H3N2/Perth, A/H1N1/California and B/Brisbane.
The H1N1 case is a person in their 20s from the Central Health Region. The individual was not hospitalized. There have been 68 confirmed cases of H1N1 in Canada this flu season, with 40 new cases reported from Dec. 19 to Jan. 1. The cases are spread equally across the age spectrum, with the majority of cases in Ontario (47), and lesser numbers in Alberta (10), British Columbia (five), Quebec (five) and Prince Edward Island (one).
Flu shots are free for all Manitobans and are available from family doctors and public health nurses. A flu shot is recommended for all Manitobans, especially those at higher risk and their caregivers and close contacts.
Higher risk groups include:
• seniors aged 65 years or older,
• residents of personal-care homes and long-term care facilities,
• children aged six months to four years of age,
• those with chronic illnesses,
• pregnant woman,
• health-care workers and first responders,
• individuals of Aboriginal ancestry, and
• people who are severely overweight or obese.
The flu is more severe than a cold. Symptoms may include fever and chills, cough, headaches, muscle aches, runny nose, sore throat and exhaustion. Contracting influenza can result in severe complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization and death. Every year, it is estimated that between 100 to 200 Manitobans, and 4,000 to 8,000 Canadians, mostly seniors, die from complications relating to the flu.
Influenza is generally spread from person to person by sneezing, coughing and other direct physical contact. To prevent the spread of influenza:
• Cover your cough by coughing into your elbow or sleeve or use a tissue to cover your nose and mouth when coughing or sneezing. Place the tissue in the garbage.
• Wash your hands often with soap and water, especially after coughing or sneezing. Hand sanitizers may also be effective.
• Maintain your health by making healthy food choices, being physically active and getting enough sleep.
People who are ill are encouraged to stay home and especially avoid personal-care homes, hospitals and other health facilities where residents and patients are at greater risk of developing severe complications from influenza.
More information about flu shots and influenza symptoms is available at:
www.gov.mb.ca/health/flu/index.html
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