Flu Bug Strikes South

The North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit has recorded 11 cases of the flu in the past five days. Leeann Whitney, the health unit’s Director of Infectious Diseases says all the cases have been reported in the southern end of the district.

“We have nine cases in the Parry Sound area, one case in the Burk’s Falls area and one in the Sundridge area.”

Only two of the 11 have been classified so far. Both are influenza type B, considered the weaker cousin of type A. Common sense is the best way to prevent contracting the flu and preventing its spread.

“Certainly getting your annual flu shot is something we recommend. Hand washing and just taking good care of yourself, eating well and getting lots of rest.” Whitney said.

An infected person can pass the bug along to someone else by simply touching something others will touch or not covering up a sneeze or a cough.

“Influenza virus can live on things like tissues and desks and phones for a period for up to 12 hours so things can be passed that way as well.” Whitney advised.

The very young, the very old and those who have weak immune systems or serious illness are all vulnerable to the flu’s darker side. Whitney says across Canada, an average of 500 to 1,500 people die from the flu every year.

“We do take it very seriously because it can cause serious illness in some people so we want to take as much preventative measures as we can to prevent people who are vulnerable from getting sick and perhaps even dying.”

People who contract the flu are infectious for about five days and will be dealing with its symptoms anywhere from one to seven weeks. The flu season starts in October and lasts until April.