Health officials are warning Pictou County residents to get their shots as Nova Scotia battles through peak flu season.
The Nova Scotia Health Authority says this year’s vaccine offers good protection against type-B flu, but is less effective against the more severe type-A strain.
People should nonetheless have the shot as it can at least reduce the severity of illness should they fall sick.
“If they get one soon, in the next week or so, they can still see benefits,” said Dr. Robert Strang, the NSHA’s chief public health officer. “We’re right in the middle of peak flu season.”
The NSHA says that ‘sporadic’ flu activity was reported in Zone 2, which covers Pictou County, from Jan. 21 to 27. Sporadic activity means no flu outbreaks have been reported within this zone.
This means one lab-confirmed case each of flu types A and B in Zone 2.
NSHA Zones 1, 3 and 4 have all reported localized flu activity, meaning that outbreaks have occurred in some schools, hospitals and residential institutions such as care homes.
The province-wide total for all four zones is 34 type-A flu cases and another 11 type-B cases reported in labs over Jan. 21-27.
A total of 190 lab-confirmed cases of type-A and 45 type-B cases have been reported so far over the 2017-18 flu season.
Of these lab-confirmed cases, there have been 14 flu deaths across the province so far this flu season.
“We know that there’s significant flu activity in all parts of the province,” said Strang.
Flu symptoms include a sore throat, cough, chills and fever, a runny or blocked nose, headaches and joint or muscle pains.
Most people recover after a few days, but flu can be dangerous in children, elderly people, or those with weakened immunity. Pneumonia can be a complication of flu infection.
Those who recover from the initial infection may have a nagging cough that lasts several weeks.
As well as having their flu shot, people can reduce the risk of infection by regularly washing their hands.
Anyone who falls sick should stay at home, avoid close personal contact like shaking hands and cover their mouths and noses with their sleeves when coughing or sneezing.
Strang said this year’s flu season is fairly similar to the previous one and just about within normal limits.
“We’re at the higher end of the range,” said Strang.
