As the blast of winter weather continues in B.C., the flu season is in full force and is expected to get worse.

Island Health says four facilities on the island have been hit with an influenza outbreak.

“We’re seeing two different types of strains arriving at the same time, this makes it even more challenging,” said Dr. Paul Hasselback, a medical health officer with Island Health. “One of them is a bit milder, one of them is a bit more severe, that’s our A and B types of influenza.”

Island Health has identified four long term care facilities affected by the outbreaks, three in the Nanaimo-Parksville area and one in Victoria.

Anyone who is sick is being asked to not visit hospitals or long term care facilities.

The health authority says the best way to prevent influenza is to get vaccinated and to wash your hands often.

The four facilities on the island with confirmed cases of the flu include:

  • Eden Gardens, Nanaimo
  • Origin at Longwood, Nanaimo
  • Trillium Lodge, Parksville
  • Glengarry Hospital, Victoria