Doctor: Flu virus spreading at high rate in Monroe County

Bob Pittman
01:38, Jan 3, 2018
Copyright 2015 All rights reserved. This material can't be published, transferred, copied or redistributed.
Copyright 2015 All rights reserved. This material can't be published, transferred, copied or redistributed.

Mohammad says Ontario is on "pins and needles" waiting for the worst to come because of a "record-breaking surge" that hit Australia during its recent flu season due to the same strains. Moreover, most viruses separated from patient tissue samples have been related to the Yamagata lineage, not the Victoria lineage in vaccines being used this season. From 2009-2010 through 2015-2016, Idaho averaged 23 flu-related deaths per year. Only time will tell where the number of cases will take us from here, but, we're off to a very foreboding start.

"The message is to get vaccinated", she said.

Lisa Berger, Toronto Public Health's associate medical officer of health, says it's not too late to get a flu shot.

Is the man flu real? This may be because they are seeing more of it, but, it also could be simply that they are reporting more of it. "We still have our season ahead of us".

Some critics are questioning if the vaccine has been effective this year. This brings the total to 13 deaths, according to a news release. The vaccine could only be about 10 percent effective, according to data from Australia's flu season. The graph below shows the number of visits for influenza-like illness (not confirmed cases) for the last few years. But Mohammad says he believes this flu season may be a late bloomer.

UFC fighter Conor McGregor reportedly cancelled his New Year's Eve party after he was struck down by "Australian flu" and claimed he was "left shaking in bed" for two days and that some of his family members had been admitted to hospital because of the virus.

Flu typically begins in October and can last through May, with January and February being the peak months.


The department said 72 people in Idaho died a year ago from flu-related illnesses.

According to Dr. Naveed Mohammad, vice president of medical affairs at William Osler, a hospital system in Peel region, the week of December 17 to December 23 saw nearly twice as many confirmed flu cases in the GTA than in the previous week. It is tracked by emergency room visits, and thermometer sales at local drug stores is also tracked to gauge illness in the region.

It can take up to two weeks to build full immunity to the flu after you are vaccinated, so I encourage everyone who has not yet had a flu shot to get one today before the holidays. The policy includes: no visitation by anyone who is ill with any respiratory symptoms including coughing, fever, chills, headache, vomiting, sore throat and muscle aches or diarrhea.

Lastly, there are the heartbreaking stories emerging on social media of children who are dying from the flu. "Children are particularly likely to carry viruses since they are heavily exposed in the school setting".

People with severe, life-threatening allergies to flu vaccine or any ingredient in the vaccine should not get the flu shot.

Stay home and avoid contact with people for at least 24 hours after your fever subsides without the use of fever-reducing medicine.

Copyright 2015 All rights reserved. This material can't be published, transferred, copied or redistributed.


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