News Release                            For Immediate Release

                                                                                                                     January 17, 2012

Influenza Arrives In Grey Bruce 

On Tuesday, January 17, the Grey Bruce Health Unit received laboratory results confirming Influenza B in a local Owen Sound resident. Area health care practitioners are being notified and will be performing appropriate testing on individuals experiencing influenza symptoms.

Provincially, there is increased influenza activity with 30 laboratory confirmed influenza cases reported in the first week of January. From September 1, 2011 to January 7, 2012 there have been 78 laboratory confirmed influenza cases.

Public Health reminds everyone that there are several things you can do to protect yourself and others from infection:

• Get the flu shot. 
• Wash your hands often or use an alcohol-based sanitizer. The influenza virus can survive on unwashed hands for 5 minutes, on tissues or clothing for 8-10 hours and on hard surfaces such as telephones and computer keyboards for 2 days.
• Contain your cough by covering your mouth with your sleeve, not your hand.
• If feeling unwell, stay home and rest. 
• If sick, don’t visit a loved one in hospital or long-term care facility. With weakened immune systems, the elderly and those in hospital are more at risk of developing serious complications of influenza which can be life threatening.

It is not too late to get a flu shot; it takes two weeks for the vaccine to become fully effective. Influenza vaccine is available at doctor’s offices. Vaccine is also available by appointment at Grey Bruce Health Unit clinics in Owen Sound, Walkerton or The Plex in Port Elgin. For further information call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 or visit our website at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca.

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Attachments: Influenza Fact Sheet

For more information:

Karen Sweiger

Manager, Infectious Diseases Program

Grey Bruce Health Unit

519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 ext. 1230

k.sweiger@publichealthgreybruce.on.ca