Influenza hasn’t hit Brantford and Brant as quickly as it has in other spots but this area is dealing with more than 40 COVID cases and had more than 20 pertussis cases.
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“Viruses are among us all the time,” said Medical Officer of Health Dr. Rebecca Comley in a recent interview.
“We continued to have small COVID outbreaks through the summer but the numbers have gone up in recent weeks.”
The most recent data – which is no longer published on the Brant County Health Unit’s website – shows five current COVID outbreaks totaling 42 cases.
In contrast, there are no influenza or RSV outbreaks.
But, so far, doctors have reported 21 cases of pertussis.
The fall trifecta of COVID, influenza and RSV has been added to this year with concerns about pertussis (whooping cough), Mpox and measles.
“All infectious diseases are a concern,” Comley said.
“Some viruses are more of a concern for some people than others and healthcare practitioners look at the specific person.”
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The doctor said the Brant area isn’t alone when it comes to an increase in pertussis, which has been a “persistent presence” province-wide with more than a thousand cases so far this year compared to 159 cases in all of 2023.
Comley said that because it’s been uncommon in Ontario, the health unit has been alerting family doctors about symptoms so it’s on their radar.
“It’s not something we typically see.”
COVID has been relatively low through the summer but, with a return to school and more indoor activities, has increased this month.
The unit plans to return to weekly reporting of COVID and influenza this fall but has no firm date as to when that will be.
Local wastewater rates will no longer be reported after the province with Drew funding for a surveillance program that could monitor increases in COVID during the pandemic. A federal program continues to monitor limited sites, including in Toronto.
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“Wastewater data was certainly a useful tool. I’m hopeful the national tracking will still provide some level of understanding.”
Due to a variety of reasons, Comley said there has been a decline in immunization rates overall – or a decline in people reporting their vaccines.
But, she said, there’s a current move to get the system and its users caught up.
“We’re doing better. We still have some work to do but we’re working to improve our education efforts.”
For those wanting to help fight the on-coming fall viruses, Comley said “there’s no magic bullet.”
“It’s really about doing the small things,” she said, naming the usual list of small, preventive actions people can take.
Wash your hands, learn to cough and sneeze into your elbow, stay home when ill, get a vaccination for flu, COVID and RSV as soon as they become available (expected in October), and wear a mask in indoor public settings, especially if you are at high risk for infection or recovering from a recent illness.
@EXPSGamble
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