Health officials are warning that flu season has hit with full force on Vancouver Island – and four care facilities have already seen outbreaks.
Eden Gardens and Origin at Longwood in Nanaimo, Trillium Lodge in Parksville and Glengarry Hospital in Victoria have all been affected by the flu bug, Island Health has confirmed.
"We have four declared outbreaks at this point in time, and I expect by the end of the day we may hear about more as well," said Island Health's Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Paul Hasselback.
Not only has the flu come roaring in to 2018, Hasselback said this year is proving to be a double whammy.
"We've got both the influenza A and influenza B strain happening at the same time which means…we're going to see a fair bit of influenza," he said.
Those working on the front lines at pharmacies say the public appears to be taking flu season seriously.
Pharmacists are reporting a 33 per cent increase in the number of people getting vaccinated against the bug over last year.
"We're noticing families booking their appointments for their whole family so not just one person coming in, the whole family is coming in," said Kylee Power, a pharmacists at Central Drugs in Nanaimo. "That's really the best thing you can do to protect everyone."
While most sufferers see symptoms like fatigue, muscle pain, congestion and fevers, Health Canada says every year some 3,500 Canadians die from influenza. The elderly and people with underlying medical conditions are particularly at risk.
"We will see people with severe complications, perhaps hospitalization, and unfortunately we will see tragedies," said Hasselback.
Those who come down with the bug are advised not to go to their local hospitals, but rather call a health care provider first – unless their condition is severe.
"If someone is just asking, 'I'm having these sort of symptoms, does that seem normal to you?' we can give them recommendations on how they can treat themselves at home rather than take up that space in the Emergency department," said Power.
Island Health said the public can play a role in reducing the spread of influenza by washing their hands rigorously, staying at home, coughing and sneezing into their arm, avoiding contact with people who are ill and getting their flu shot.
As per Island Health policy, visitors and staff at care facilities who are not up-to-date on their flu vaccinations must wear a mask to prevent others from contracting the bug.
The health authority says the most common place to catch the flu is anywhere large numbers of people tend to congregate.
To find where vaccinations are being offered in your community, visit Immunize BC's Influenza Clinic Locator here.
