Flu numbers continue to skyrocket over last year

By Gillian Slade on December 9, 2017.

gslade@medicinehatnews.com @MHNGillianSlade

A total of 725 new cases of influenza across the province have been confirmed by Alberta Health Services in the past week, and there have been another three deaths.

This flu season, there have been 1,448 laboratory-confirmed cases of the “A” strain, and 324 of the “B” strain. A week ago those numbers were 948 and 199 respectively. A year ago that number was 531 in total.

In the south zone there have been 89 influenza A and 17 influenza B cases confirmed. A week ago there had been 50 and nine respectively.

At this stage it is difficult to say whether the numbers indicate we are heading for an unusually intense flu season, said Dr. Lizette Elumir, medical officer of health, AHS south zone. There can be spikes in the number of cases at different times in the season.

“It is kind of early to know. There has been an increase for sure,” said Elumir. “Influenza is different from year to year.”

The number of influenza deaths has increased from five to eight in the data reported by AHS in the past week. One of those cases was in the south zone, six in the Calgary zone and one in the Edmonton Zone.

While people recognize flu as not being very pleasant, it is easy to forget that it can very serious and even life threatening, said Elumir.

This flu season there have been 459 people hospitalized with lab-confirmed influenza, 22 in the south.

More than 1 million Albertans have taken the precaution of getting the flu vaccine. In the south zone that number stands at 79,219.

The vaccine contains four strains of influenza virus including influenza A Michigan, influenza A Hong Kong, influenza B Brisbane and influenza B Phuket.

The vaccine is created based on the flu season before ours in the southern hemisphere. The virus can mutate and change by the time we are dealing with it. However, even if the vaccine is not as effective as intended it is still better to get a measure of protection rather than none at all, said Elumir. It can still reduce the severity of symptoms.

All Albertans aged six months and older are eligible to receive influenza immunization free of charge.

Upcoming flu immunization clinics in Medicine Hat at Higdon Hall on the Stampede Grounds are as follows: Dec. 20, 2-6 p.m. and Jan. 15, 2-6 p.m.

Only one type of influenza vaccine is being offered free of charge: Fluzone as an injection.

FluMist, the nasal spray previously available for children between the ages of two and 17, is not available this season through AHS.

The influenza vaccine FLUAD, designed to boost the immune response in seniors, will not be available except to seniors living in long-term care or supportive living.

Some pharmacists may choose to offer FluMist and/or FLUAD to Albertans for a fee paid by the patient.