Residents Encouraged to Protect Themselves and Others During Flu Season

With confirmed cases of influenza reported throughout Newfoundland and Labrador, residents are reminded to take personal action to help prevent contracting and spreading the flu.

“The most important preventive measures that everyone can take to reduce the spread of the influenza virus is to clean, cover and contain – clean your hands regularly with soap and water or hand sanitizer; use a tissue or your arm to cover coughs and sneezes; and, contain your illness by staying home and away from other people,” said Dr. Faith Stratton, Chief Medical Officer of Health for Newfoundland and Labrador. “The typical flu season in Newfoundland and Labrador runs from January to June, however this year we saw cases spread earlier than in previous years. This, in conjunction with the holiday season, has led to an increase in the number of cases being reported. As of today, there have been 345 confirmed cases of influenza in the province.”

Following the personal hygiene routine of clean, cover and contain is the simplest and easiest way to help prevent catching and spreading the flu virus. Other general rules to follow include:

• Avoid touching your face with your hands especially after coming into contact with public surfaces such as door handles, stair rails, debit machines etc.;
• If you are sick stay home, but if you must go out be respectful of others and try and avoid crowded areas, or seat yourself away from others to avoid spreading your infection;
• Clean frequently touched surfaces at home, work or school, especially when someone is ill;
• Eat nutritious meals, exercise and get lots of rest – your body needs good nutrition and plenty of rest to help prevent infections;
• Respect the visitor restrictions put in place by the regional health authorities – these are important measures to prevent the spread of infection; and,
• Get the flu shot to help reduce the risk of catching influenza.

Although the flu season has already begun it is not too late to get the influenza vaccine. The vaccine is provided at no cost through the public health program for individuals at high risk for complications from influenza, including:

• Adults and children with chronic conditions requiring regular medical or hospital care such as respiratory disorders, cardiac disease, renal disease, metabolic disorders, mobility impairment, and immunosuppression;
• Persons in residential care, including residents and staff;
• Persons age 60 and over;
• Children age six months to 59 months;
• Pregnant women, particularly those in their third trimester;
• Aboriginal people;
• Health care workers including those in the community or chronic care facilities;
• Household contacts of people at high risk of influenza complications;
• Essential service workers (e.g. police, ambulance, firefighters); and,
• Live poultry and swine industry workers.

For further information on the seasonal influenza vaccination, individuals should contact the regional health authority in their area.

“The influenza virus tends to come in waves every three to four years where we will see flu activity spike in one year and then subside in the following years,” said Dr. Stratton. “As we are now seeing, this appears to be the peak year which is following two relatively mild years of influenza. This has been the trend across the country.”

For information on provincially reported surveillance and disease reports visit:
www.health.gov.nl.ca/health/publichealth/cdc/informationandsurveillance.html 

- 30 -

Media contact:
Jennifer Tulk
Director of Communications
Department of Health and Community Services
709-729-1377, 699-6524
jennifertulk@gov.nl.ca 

2013 01 18                       11:10 a.m.