HEATHER BOA Bullet News HURON COUNTY – The influenza season in Huron County has peaked, with 90 cases reported since September 2012.
“That’s quite high for Huron County. We’ve seen a lot of activity. We are on the downslide now. We’re seeing less cases every week,” said Christina Taylor, who is the public health manager at Huron County’s health unit.
In a season that got off to an early start, flu outbreaks have not visited the county-run Huronview and Huronlea homes for the aged.
“We haven’t seen any outbreaks, knock on wood, in long-term care facilities,” Taylor said.
Numbers reported to the health unit number don’t include sick people who didn’t go to their doctor’s office for a nasal swab to be sent to the health unit lab in London or labs in select hospitals for testing. Any positive tests in those labs are reported to local health units.
The flu vaccine is available through appointment at the health unit or health care provider’s office, and at some pharmacies for those over the age of five.
Flu season usually arrives around Christmas, with cases reported into February, but in Huron County and across the province, the season started much earlier this year. It is expected to wind down by the end of March.
The health unit suggests if people feel unwell that they stay at home and avoid visits to long-term homes or hospitals. Washing hands and sneezing or coughing into sleeves will help reduce the spread of flu.
For more information about flu and flu clinics, visit the health unit’s website.
