An early start to the 2017/18 flu season has been noted by Alberta Health Services, and numbers of confirmed Influenza A in the North Zone are already nearing the total number of confirmed cases seen throughout the entire 2016/17 season in the same zone.
Dr. Gerry Predy, Medical Officer of Health with AHS, confirmed that the flu season started early, especially in the Calgary region. But aside from the early start, the season is appearing to be fairly typical, and the vaccine being administered is likely a match for the strains that are circulating.
While he can’t be 100 per cent sure until further information is closely viewed, most of the specimens appear to be a match to the vaccine strain, he explains.
Predy encourages people who have yet to receive the flu vaccine to go out and get it. The 2017/18 flu season will likely last until April, so “we’ve got a ways to go,” he says.
Typically, there are two waves noted throughout influenza season. Right now, the first wave is nearing the end since influenza tends to peak around Christmas time.
“People get together more . . . they travel,” he says, adding, the first wave of influenza is still making its way around, and it is hard to predict exactly when it will stop. Overall, numbers have been “pretty brisk over the last month.”
A second wave of influenza is typically noted in late winter or early spring.
As of Dec. 21, 83,018 people had received the influenza vaccine in the North Zone of Alberta Health Services. Across the province, 1.1 million people had received this season’s influenza vaccine.
The North Zone has 357 laboratory confirmed cases of Influenza A; and 33 laboratory confirmed cases of influenza B. As of Dec. 21, 65 Albertans in the North Zone were admitted to hospital and had laboratory confirmed influenza.
One person in the North Zone was decreased, who had lab confirmed influenza.
The Calgary Zone appears to have been hit hardest by Influenza A, with 1,120 confirmed cases, and 447 confirmed cases of Influenza B. A dozen people in the Calgary Zone with lab confirmed influenza have died.
A total of 19 people in Alberta with lab confirmed influenza have died this flu season. The Edmonton Zone had about half the number of lab confirmed cases of influenza A, with 564 cases. Influenza B numbers were also lower than the Calgary Zone, with 51 cases confirmed in the Edmonton Zone, and four people with lab confirmed influenza have died in the Edmonton region.
The numbers are calculated based on the current flu season from Aug. 28, 2017 to Dec. 15, 2017. The data, which is available on the AHS website, is expected to be updated with new figures on Jan. 11, which would take into account some of the holiday season.
Compared to last year’s numbers, this year’s flu season could end up being farther reaching. The final report for the entire 2016/17 influenza season saw 361 cases of lab confirmed Influenza A in the North Zone, and 106 lab confirmed cases of Influenza B in the North.
Last season, 125 Albertans in the North Zone were hospitalized with lab confirmed influenza, and seven people were decreased who had confirmed influenza.
The 2015/16 season was more harsh with 585 confirmed cases of Influenza A in the North Zone, and 260 cases of Influenza B. Six people with confirmed influenza died during the 2015/16 season.
St. Paul Community Health Services continues to offer drop-in services for the influenza vaccine on Tuesdays and Thursdays throughout January. Elk Point Community Health Services also offers pre-booked appointments for the vaccine.
Influenza is an infection of the nose, throat, and lungs and is caused by a virus. Symptoms start suddenly and may include: fever, sore throat, runny nose, cough, headache, muscle aches, loss of appetite, and feeling tired. Vomiting and diarrhea can happen but is more common in young children.
Influenza can spread even before symptoms are visible. To help stop the spread of influenza, Albertans are encouraged to cover their cough, wash their hands, stay home when sick, and get vaccinated.
