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Number of lab-confirmed flu cases on the rise in Dufferin area

January 13, 2017   ·   0 Comments

The number of influenza cases in Ontario rose significantly over the holiday season starting with a significant jump during the week of December 11th. Confirmed cases of Influenza A, and as of December 25th Influenza B, continue to climb, causing some concern for the province’s emergency wards and nursing homes.

While Public Health in Middlesex–London reports widespread cases of influenza, here in the Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph catchments (WDGPH) the public health spokesperson reports they are “just starting to see an increased number of lab-confirmed flu cases in the community.”

Responding to the Orangeville Citizen, WDGPH spokesperson Rita Sethi, the Chief Nursing Officer and Director of Community Health and Wellness at WDGPH, reports, “There has also been an increase in the number of facilities reporting an influenza outbreak.”

She reported that Lord Dufferin Centre in Orangeville and Dufferin Oaks in Shelburne have respiratory outbreaks; however, influenza has not been confirmed. Shelburne Residence is not in an outbreak at this time.

Ms. Sethi noted that, as in any respiratory outbreak, there are Public Health control measures put in place; facilities are not quarantined, however there are restrictions on residents’ activities, new admissions and transfers.

Dave Holwell, Managing Director of the Lord Dufferin Centre, says the retirement residence “does not currently have an influenza situation. We do have some residents who have experienced some cold-like symptoms.  Residents with symptoms are isolated in accordance with guidelines from the Ministry of Health. The isolation is up to five days or until all symptoms are resolved, whichever is sooner. This helps to reduce the risk of spreading it to others.” Officials at the residence remain in contact with WDGPH on a regular basis.

According to WDGPH, “influenza, commonly known as the flu, is a viral infection of the respiratory tract that spreads easily from person to person. Onset of symptoms is typically sudden and includes fever, chills, cough, sore throat, nasal congestion, and muscle pain. Those most at risk for developing health complications include children less than five years of age, adults more than 65 years of age, and individuals with chronic diseases, such as diabetes and cancer.”

Public Health promotes “regular hand washing” and “the influenza vaccine” as “the best way to protect oneself and others from the flu.”

“Based on surveillance data, we anticipate a peak in influenza cases in the next couple of weeks,” says the public health office. “This is similar from statistics last year.”         

Wellington Dufferin Guelph Public Health advises that it is not too late to get a flu shot to prevent getting the flu, reporting the predominant strain of influenza circulating right now is Influenza A subtype H3N2 whereas the predominant strain last year was subtype H1N1.  Ms. Sethi informed the  Citizen that this year’s vaccine is a good match to what is circulating right now, but that it is not uncommon to see a second wave of influenza with a second strain which may or may not be in the vaccine.

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