Influenza ‘A’ confirmed in district - wash your hands

North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit
Media Release

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Dr. Catherine Whiting, Medical Officer of Health for the North Bay Parry Sound District Health Unit, says that laboratory-confirmed influenza A has been reported in the district. While these are the first lab-confirmed cases of influenza in the North Bay Parry Sound District, there is influenza activity in several regions of the province with the majority of cases occurring in the central west region of Ontario.

Sheila Marchant-Short, manager of Communicable Disease Control at the Health Unit, noted that the first case of lab-confirmed influenza in the district last year was late in the season, occurring in March. She reminds people that frequent, thorough handwashing with soap and water is still one of the best methods of protection from viruses such as influenza.

This year's vaccine is a 99% match for the circulating strains of influenza across the province. The Health Unit advises people that it is not too late to get an influenza immunization because the influenza season continues through the winter months. It takes up to two weeks to gain full protection from the influenza immunization.
The public can call their health care provider or the Vaccine Preventable Diseases Program at the Health Unit at 474-1400, ext. 2252 to book an appointment for their influenza immunization.

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