Peterborough Public Health Reports First Influenza Case of the Season; Flu Shots Available This Fall

Peterborough Public Health (PPH) has reported the first confirmed case of influenza in our region announced on Wednesday.

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This year’s case comes significantly earlier than those identified prior to the pandemic according to PPH. They reported the first confirmed case of the 2018-19 flu season on Dec. 3 and Nov. 1 in the following year.

“We are seeing a very early start to the season and want to caution our community that a confirmed case typically indicates that influenza is already transmitting,” said Dr. Thomas Piggott, medical officer of health. “Following trends from the southern hemisphere, we anticipate that influenza will make a strong resurgence this season. We strongly encourage residents to follow guidance to prevent the transmission of respiratory infections such as influenza and COVID-19. This includes getting vaccinated with the flu shot when it becomes available this fall and checking the COVID-19 risk index and guidance regularly.”

The flu shot will be available later this fall and is free to all eligible residents. Residents over the age of six months are eligible for the flu shot when available.

“Like COVID-19, the influenza vaccine is very important for preventing severe symptoms related to the viral infection,” said Dr. Piggott. “We are strongly encouraging those with weaker immune systems, those who are pregnant, older adults, young children and caregivers of these individuals to receive their flu shot this fall.”

Residents over five years are reminded by PPH that the influenza vaccine and the COVID-19 vaccines can be co-administered. There is no specific time interval that is required to wait between doses.

Dr. Piggott says residents that COVID-19 prevention measures are also effective at preventing an influenza infection. PPH encourages residents to,

• Get the flu shot when it becomes available

• Stay up-to-date with COVID-19 and other routine vaccines

• Follow risk guidance measures recommended in the Local COVID-19 Risk Index

• Wear a tightly fitting N95/KN95 mask to prevent transmission in higher risk and indoor settings, when the risk index advises

• Be mindful of indoor air ventilation, and open windows, run HVAC regularly and otherwise improve indoor air ventilation

• Stay home if you are feeling unwell

• Wash your hands frequently

• Clean and sanitize commonly-used surfaces frequently

• Cough or sneeze into your sleeve or tissue and washing hands afterwards

Peterborough’s Local COVID-19 Risk Index is moderate.

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First Local Case of Seasonal Influenza Reported by Peterborough Public Health

Peterborough Public Health reported the first local lab-confirmed case of seasonal influenza in our area on Friday.

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“The case is lab-confirmed for influenza, and we now know that seasonal influenza is circulating in our community,” said Dr. Ian Gemmill, Acting Medical Officer of Health. “Usually there are more cases of influenza in the community than are reported by the lab, so we strongly encourage residents to get their influenza vaccination to protect themselves and others, as it’s still early in the season.”

Dr. Gemmill noted that this year’s first lab-confirmed case is the influenza A strain. The flu shot protects against two types of influenza A and two types of influenza B strains.

This is the first lab-confirmed case reported by Peterborough Public Health since early 2020. A total of zero lab confirmed influenza cases were reported for the 2020-2021 surveillance season.

Zero influenza outbreaks were reported in long-term care facilities, retirement residences, and the local hospital for the same period, compared to three outbreaks in these settings the previous influenza season.

Flu shots are available at many local pharmacies (for individuals age 2 years and older) and physician offices.

Peterborough Public Health is holding flu shot clinics for children under 2 and their families without a primary healthcare provider on Dec. 18 and Jan. 13, 2021 for children that require a second dose.

To book an appointment call 705-743-1000, ext. 507.

For a listing of pharmacies offering free flu shots, visit www.peterboroughpublichealth.ca/flu.

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Public Health Declares Community-Wide Influenza Outbreak for Local Area

On Thursday (January 4th), Medical Officer of Health Dr. Rosana Salvaterra declared a community-wide influenza outbreak in Peterborough due to a recent increase in the number of confirmed local cases.

“We now have influenza outbreaks at four long term care homes in our area, and have seen an increased number of patients presenting at the PRHC Emergency Department with influenza-like illness,” says Dr. Salvaterra. “We have been seeing an increase in influenza cases ever since the Christmas holiday began and now we have enough evidence to believe there is widespread transmission occurring.”

“There is no reason to believe that this year’s vaccine is not a strong match with circulating strains,” she adds.

Dr. Salvaterra notes that all of the long-term care homes in outbreak have instructed staff who did not get the flu shot to take antiviral medication:

“Antivirals can be effective as a second line treatment to prevent influenza spread when outbreaks occur or to treat an influenza infection, if used early," she says. "Hopefully, most caregivers have been immunized but if not, antivirals, masks and good hand washing can help protect those who are vulnerable.”

Most healthy individuals are able to weather the virus and will not require a visit to the doctor. For those who are feeling unwell, Dr. Salvaterra recommends that you stay home to avoid spreading the virus.

PEOPLE WHO ARE AT GREATER RISK

People with compromised immune systems, other chronic diseases, or even a healthy woman in her last trimester of pregnancy are at greater risk of hospitalization and death from influenza.

Anyone who has symptoms of influenza and risk factors for severe illness or complications should seek medical care as soon as possible.

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