With the flu having already hit hard in parts of eastern Canada, the B.C. Centre for Disease Control is encouraging British Columbians to take additional measures to protect themselves before influenza ramps up in B.C.
“Influenza activity has been fairly mild in B.C. so far this year, but the winter is long and the risk is not yet over,” explains Dr. Danuta Skowronski, BCCDC physician epidemiologist. “It would be wise to learn from the experience in eastern Canada and prepare for that now, because the same could still happen here.”
The influenza season typically spans November to April, and the peak can happen anytime during that period. As in past years, the vaccine is recommended and free for the elderly, very young children, and people of all ages with chronic medical conditions as they are at highest risk.
For more information on the flu virus, visit www.bccdc.ca or call HealthLink BC at 8-1-1, to speak to a nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week.