THUNDER BAY -- There is just one confirmed case of the H3N2 influenza virus in the city, but health officials say it’s just a matter of time before that number starts to steadily climb.
“What we know is that in the province and in the country, influenza season has really begun and the numbers are going up every week – the numbers of reported cases, the numbers of hospitalization. There have been some deaths as well,” said Janet DeMille, associate medical officer of health for the Thunder Bay District Health Unit.
As people gather over the holidays and children head back to school in January, Thunder Bay’s flu season should be in full swing.
And with the virus predominantly affecting people over the age of 65, DeMille said they are keeping an eye on long-term care homes in the city where outbreaks are most likely to happen.
“It’s not a matter of if it does happen, it’s when it happens. There is a plan in place and guidance about how these things are managed. At the health unit we continue to work with all our long-term care homes and the staff to help manage outbreaks when they occur,” she said.
Children under the age of five are the second most vulnerable group to this flu and symptoms include fever, chills, muscle aches and pains, fatigue, cough, sore throat and runny nose.
The flu causes about 400 deaths in Ontario every year and the H3N2 strain puts many people in the hospital, particularly because it affects seniors, who often have other health issues, the most.
DeMille said she expects to see many people hospitalized this season and possible a higher than average amount of deaths due to the flu.
While many people have already received flu shots, the H3N2 strain isn’t included in this’s vaccination.
DeMille said which strains go into the vaccine is determined six months ahead of flu season.
“Unfortunately, what we’re seeing this year is a bit of a mismatch between what we’re seeing circulated in the population – the H3N2 strain – and what was actually put in the vaccine this year,” she said.
The vaccine will probably be less effective against H3N2, but it will still prevent some people from contracting it or they could have milder symptoms or be less contagious.
“There is still benefit to getting the vaccine,” DeMille said.
