The number of people battling the flu is soaring.
The Brant County Health Unit is reporting a “significant number” of positive lab results related to influenza.
From Oct. 3 to Nov. 6, the health unit received notification of 50 lab-confirmed flu cases in local residents.
During that same period in 2019-20 there were no confirmed cases. The 2019-20 flu season is the most recent when masks or face coverings weren’t widely used.
Influenza is a virus that affects the lungs and can cause serious illness, especially in young children and the elderly. The flu is easily spread through the air by coughing, sneezing and talking, or by touching contaminated surfaces and objects, including phones, doorknobs and tablets.
“The flu shot is safe and the best protection against the flu,” said Dr. Rebecca Comley, Brant’s acting medical officer of health. “I would encourage all those over six months of age to receive their flu shot as soon as possible.
“As the province forecasts this flu season to continue to be difficult, the flu shot is especially recommended for residents considered to be part of at-risk groups.”
Individuals at high risk of flu-related complications or who are more likely to require hospitalization include:
- Pregnant individuals.
- People who are residents of nursing homes or other chronic care facilities.
- People over 65 years of age.
- All children six months to four years old.
- Indigenous people.
- Adults or children, aged six months and older, with chronic health conditions, including cardiac or pulmonary disorders, diabetes mellitus or other metabolic disease; cancer; conditions or medication which compromise the immune system; kidney disease; anemia or hemoglobinopathy; neurologic or neurodevelopment conditions; morbid obesity; and children and adolescents (six months to 18 years) undergoing treatment with acetylsalicylic acid for long periods.
The flu shot is now available through local pharmacies and health-care providers. The health unit will be holding flu clinics on select dates throughout November. Appointments are available through the health unit website at bchu.org
Anyone experiencing symptoms of respiratory illness should:
- Stay at home until you do not have a fever and your symptoms have been improving for at least 24 hours (or 48 hours if you had nausea, vomiting or diarrhea).
- Wear a well-fitted mask in public spaces.
- Do not visit people in hospitals, retirement home, long-term care homes, or people who may be at higher risk of illness (seniors and those immunocompromised).
- Seek medical attention for severe or worsening symptoms, or if in a high-risk group.
On Monday, Ontario’s chief medical office of health strongly recommended masks be worn indoors in public spaces and social settings as more and more children are hospitalized with respiratory illnesses.
But Dr. Kieran Moore stopped short of mandating masks in schools and other crowded settings.