`Flu virus confirmed in region, Not too late to get immunized

With the Northwestern Health Unit having confirmed the presence of the influenza virus in the Kenora and Rainy River districts in recent weeks, the message being sent to the public is that it’s not too late to get immunized.
Public health nurse Cindy McKinnon, who’s in charge of the health unit’s ’flu shot campaign, said yesterday there’s been 10 confirmed cases, with undoubtedly more unreported ones, in the catchment area.
“It’s affecting all age groups, including children,” she remarked. “We’re seeing more and more of it daily.
“We’ve had a lot of absenteeism in schools and day nurseries reported, which is in an indicator that there’s illness in the community,” added McKinnon.
To give a better idea of the number of children possibly sick with the ’flu, McKinnon noted schools that have absenteeism greater than 10 percent due to illness are requested to contact the health unit.
McKinnon said the strain has been identified as “A/Wisconsin,” which, along with A/New Caledonia and B/Malaysia, is among the three strains included in ’flu vaccine the health unit has been administering and distributing this winter.
“It’s a good match,” she noted. “But unfortunately, so far the confirmed cases have not been vaccinated.”
McKinnon said that while even this late into winter people come into the health unit office for ’flu shots, the numbers have been somewhat down this season.
She attributed this at least partly to vaccine shipments being delayed by a month or so in the fall, resulting in a late start to the public clinics.
McKinnon stressed those who haven’t been vaccinated should contact the health unit and make an appointment.
“It’s not too late,” she remarked, adding seniors, those with chronic medical problems, and especially children are high-priority cases for immunization.
“We’re seeing illness in young children and you get concerned when you see that,” McKinnon remarked.
“They don’t have the immunity often to fight off things like that, and even older children often haven’t been subjected to viruses over the years.”
Call 274-9827 to make an appointment at the health unit’s office in Fort Frances. If enough people call, the health unit will schedule a full day for an immunization clinic.
According to the health unit, the ’flu is a respiratory tract illness with symptoms including cough, sore throat, tiredness, muscle aches, loss of appetite, headache, chills, and fever.
Influenza spreads easily from the infected persons through coughing and sneezing. It also spreads through direct contact with surfaces contaminated by the virus, such as toys, eating utensils, and unwashed hands.
Immunization, frequent hand-washing, and remaining at home if you have signs or symptoms of the ’flu are the main methods to prevent the spread of this disease.