It?s out there; the flu, that is.
While it has been a relatively mild year for flu activity, health officials are beginning to see confirmed cases in Wellington and Dufferin Counties. WDG Public Health has received four lab confirmed cases of flu in the community and one confirmed outbreak of flu in a long-term care home.
?To date, we have administered almost 10,000 flu shots in our clinics and distributed 61,000 doses to area physicians, hospitals, and long-term care homes,? said WDGPH clinical services manager Rosalyn LaRochelle. ?We don?t have numbers for shots administered through independent pharmacies and home health care providers but there is no doubt anyone who chose to get a flu shot has contributed to the lower incidence of flu in our community.?
In general, flu is spread by droplets from an infected person?s cough or sneeze and by touching surfaces that are contaminated with the virus, such as unwashed hands, toys, cell phones or eating utensils. The most common symptoms are fever and cough plus one or more of the following symptoms:
– sore throat;
– muscle pain;
– joint pain; and
– weakness.
LaRochelle added, ?This year we had the option of ordering pre-filled syringes of the flu vaccine. It?s made the process of administering the shot much more efficient.?
If anyone has a vacation planned for March break, now is the time to get a flu shot. Appointments are available by calling Public Health or a health care provider.
For more information visit www.wdgpublichealth.ca.
