The influenza season started later than usual this time around and is now in full swing across Saskatchewan, including the southeast area according to information released by the Sun Country Health Region late last week.
The incidents of flu breakouts are expected to increase this month, said Dr. Shauna Hudson, Sun Country's medical health officer, who is urging local citizens who have not received a flu immunization shot, to get one soon to protect themselves and the people around them.
"It's not too late. People can call their local Public Health Office to arrange their flu shot," she said. In Estevan, the phone number is 306-637-3626; in Weyburn it is 306-842-8618 and in Oxbow it's 306-483-2313.
Everyone from the age of six months and up are eligible to receive the free flu shot through the publicly funded program.
The majority of cases recorded in the province so far are the H1N1 variety, which is covered by this year's vaccine.
With H1N1, Dr. Hudson said it is expected they will see more young children (under five years of age) and young to middle-aged adults being afflicted. This is the same strain that first appeared in 2009, and it has been included with the influenza vaccines since 2010.
As of early January, there have been less than five lab-confirmed flu cases in Sun Country, and surveillance has shown increased flu cases in the last couple of weeks. Overall, in Saskatchewan, to the end of 2013, there have been 161 lab-confirmed cases including seven that required hospitalization due to the severity of the case and there have been three deaths reported in which influenza was a contributing factor.
Those in the high-risk category for flu include adults over the age of 65, people with chronic conditions or severe obesity, pregnant women and four-week post-partum, children from the age of six to 59 months of age and nursing home residents.
Vaccinations are also recommended for individuals who are in close contact with high-risk groups such as those who work with infants, health-care workers and volunteers and other occupations where community work is involved.
Hudson added in a recent release that people can protect themselves against seasonal influenza by adopting infection prevention methods such as frequent handwashing, coughing and sneezing into your elbow, cleaning surfaces often and staying at home when sick.
Those who aren't immunized are encouraged to wear a mask when visiting patients in health-care facilities to protect those who are vulnerable. Masks are available at entrances to the facilities or by speaking with nursing or other staff members.
More information regarding making arrangements for a flu shot may be found on the Sun Country website at www.suncountry.sk.ca
