The Sudbury & District Health Unit is reporting the first two confirmed cases of influenza A infection in the Greater Sudbury area, said a news release.
Influenza, or the flu, is a highly contagious, acute, viral disease of the respiratory tract. Symptoms include high fever, headache, sore throat, cough, and muscle aches and pains. Some people may also have mild stomach upset, but nasal and chest symptoms are usually predominate.
"Although it hasn’t been a heavy influenza season so far, influenza cases have been confirmed in other parts of the province already. Now we know it’s here,” said Lisa Mills, Manager of Clinical Services with the Sudbury & District Health Unit, in a news release. “The good news is that immunization is still very effective at controlling the spread of influenza in the community.”
Influenza is the most serious of a number of respiratory viruses that cause coughs, sniffles and fever each winter. Most people who get the flu feel worse than they would with a simple cold. Even the young and healthy may take a week or more to recover.
People who are ill with influenza and other respiratory infections should stay at home to avoid infecting others, especially the elderly. Frequent handwashing can also reduce the spread of influenza.
"It’s not too late to make an appointment with the health unit to get your flu shot,” says Mills.
Health unit staff have administered over 12,000 doses of influenza vaccinations and distributed approximately 70,000 doses of influenza vaccine to health care professionals for administration.
The Sudbury & District Health Unit is reminding all area health care professionals to remain vigilant in their assessments for respiratory illness.
