Two local children have died from influenza B in the last few weeks.
Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) spokesperson Chuck Ferguson said the health unit received coroner reports for the children on Jan. 31 and Feb. 8.
On Feb. 10 it was confirmed both died as a result of influenza B, a serious respiratory infection.
However, public health officials say the two cases are not directly linked.
“For influenza, it’s well documented, and has been forever, that the maximum incubation period would be three days,” said manager of control of infectious diseases Janice Walters.
“So … we know … the time delay between the first case and the second case puts it outside the range of possibility of being related to each other, direct person-to-person transfer.”
Public health officials explained the best defense against influenza is the flu shot.
“We’ve heard from people that they’ve been told that there’s no point of getting the flu shot now because it’s the end of the season but we would really reinforce right now the activity is widespread in our community and influenza often comes in waves,” Walters said.
“So even when this wave dies down we expect a second wave.”
This season there are different flu shots for adults and children. The adult shot protects against two strains of influenza A and one of influenza B, whereas the child shot protects against an additional influenza B strain.
“Unfortunately, because of the surveillance data we know that the most commonly circulating strain of ‘B’ is the one that was in the children’s vaccine and not the adult vaccine,” Walters said.
One of the influenza B strains in the flu shot lead to the deaths of the two children, Walters said.
“We do know that the vaccine that has been offered to children for this flu season did contain two strains of B influenza and it was covered,” she said.
The health unit is urging the public to understand influenza is in the community wherever people congregate.
“It is a tragedy for this community that two children died from the flu,” said Dr. Nicola Mercer, medical officer of health and CEO of WDGPH, in a press release.
“It is important for parents to know that there is not a greater risk of contracting the flu at any particular location. It is circulating throughout our community.
“The Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care has provided extra vaccines so we can vaccinate as many people as possible. If you have not had your flu shot visit public health, your doctor or a local pharmacy.”
She added that last week saw the highest number of new flu cases and the highest school absenteeism this season.
In addition to the flu shot Walters suggests people stay home from school, work or social events if they’re feeling sick or are symptomatic.
“That is a very difficult one to enforce at all levels, but that is, I think, the number one way that we will decrease the spread in our community,” Walters said.
She also said personal hygiene is essential in flu prevention, including coughing or sneezing into an elbow, using tissues, and frequent hand washing with an alcohol-based hand sanitizer or soap and water.
WDGPH will be holding additional flu shot clinics over the next week in Guelph, Fergus and Orangeville.
Guelph Chancellors Way
– Feb. 14 from 1 to 4pm;
– Feb. 15 from 2 to 6:30pm; and
– Feb. 16 from 1 to 4 pm.
Fergus
Feb. 14 to 16 from 1 to 4pm.
Orangeville
Feb. 14 to 16 from 1 to 4pm.
