Influenza Season is Expected to Rise in New Year

Health officials are reminding Saskatchewan residents that there are many steps they can take to avoid contracting the flu this season.

The influenza season started late in our province this year and is expected to rise into the new year.

"It started about two weeks later than what happened last year but from year to year theres variation and we can't alwaays predict when it's going to start, we monitor it right after the vaccination clinics open in october and we wait for it to happen and when it happens it escalates quite quickly," said Dr. Denise Werker, Deputy Chief Medical Officer for the Goverment of Saskatchewan.

Across Canada, H1N1 is the most predominant strain causing illness this season and it is included in this years vaccination.

"(H1N1) The strain is one of the viruses that are circulating this season, it's actually the strain that is predominating. In any one season we might have one or more strains that circulate, last year it was H1N2 and this year it's H1N1," said Dr. Werker.

The flu vaccination is reccomended for everyone, especially people at high risk for influenza-related complications:

-People with chronic health conditions
-People 65 and older
-Residents of long-term care facilities
-People with severe obesity
-Children under five
-Pregnant women.

"Vaccination is just one piece in an overall jigsaw puzzle for prevention of uinfluenza the other important thing is hand hygiene, the frequent washing of hands, sneezing into your elbow, wearing a mask actually if you come down with a respiratorial illness, to prevent others from becoming infected," said Dr. Werker.

For more information on influenza, symptoms and self care you can visit www.thecypresshealth.ca, www.health.gov.sk.ca or call HealthLine 811.