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Five years after the H1N1 pandemic had people flocking to get flu shots, a new, more aggressive variant of swine flu – H3N2 – has landed in Ottawa. Its arrival signals both an earlier and harsher than usual flu season, said Ottawa’s associate medical officer of health Dr. Rosamund Lewis.
In 2009, the highly transmissible H1N1 flu circulated globally, although it was not a severe strain of influenza A. The strain circulating now, said Lewis, is more aggressive and likely to cause more complications, although not as easily spread.
And, although the flu vaccine protects against H3N2, it is not a perfect solution, which means some people will get sick even though they have been vaccinated.
Despite that, Lewis said health officials are urging people to get flu shots, especially because of the severity of the strain of flu in circulation and the timing of the outbreak, just before the social holiday season. Although not a perfect match, it will still prevent flu in some people and reduce the severity of cases in others. It also serves to slow the spread of the flu in the community. And the vaccine will provide protection from outbreaks of other strains of flu. Last year, there were two separate outbreaks in Ottawa.
The strain of flu circulating in Ottawa can cause more severe illness, even death, in some people. Across Ontario, 85 people have been hospitalized and there have been nine deaths from the flu since September. In the U.S., five children have died of the flu this season.
All but one of the 14 cases confirmed by Ottawa Public Health is the H3N2 strain of influenza A, said Lewis. Those confirmed cases likely represent hundreds that have not be tested, she said.
The majority of the Ottawa cases involve people over 65, one of whom was hospitalized. There are four outbreaks at long-term care centres or retirement homes.
Lewis said Ottawa Public Health is trying to get the message out that “it’s not too late to get your flu shot.”
In the case of H3N2, she said: “Even a small measure of cross protection can protect against complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization and death.”
She is also urging members of the community to be vigilante about hand-washing and protecting themselves against the spread of the flu, especially this time of year when more people travel and socialize.
“After Christmas cases our number of cases will rocket up because of the social mixing and travel,” she added.
The flu shot is available at doctors’ offices and 170 pharmacies across the city. A list of locations is available at ottawa.ca/flu.
The vaccine protects against H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A viruses and one or two influenza B strains.
It usually takes up to 14 days to get maximum protection after a flu shot, but antibody production begins immediately.
epayne@ottawacitizen.com
查看原文...
In 2009, the highly transmissible H1N1 flu circulated globally, although it was not a severe strain of influenza A. The strain circulating now, said Lewis, is more aggressive and likely to cause more complications, although not as easily spread.
And, although the flu vaccine protects against H3N2, it is not a perfect solution, which means some people will get sick even though they have been vaccinated.
Despite that, Lewis said health officials are urging people to get flu shots, especially because of the severity of the strain of flu in circulation and the timing of the outbreak, just before the social holiday season. Although not a perfect match, it will still prevent flu in some people and reduce the severity of cases in others. It also serves to slow the spread of the flu in the community. And the vaccine will provide protection from outbreaks of other strains of flu. Last year, there were two separate outbreaks in Ottawa.
The strain of flu circulating in Ottawa can cause more severe illness, even death, in some people. Across Ontario, 85 people have been hospitalized and there have been nine deaths from the flu since September. In the U.S., five children have died of the flu this season.
All but one of the 14 cases confirmed by Ottawa Public Health is the H3N2 strain of influenza A, said Lewis. Those confirmed cases likely represent hundreds that have not be tested, she said.
The majority of the Ottawa cases involve people over 65, one of whom was hospitalized. There are four outbreaks at long-term care centres or retirement homes.
Lewis said Ottawa Public Health is trying to get the message out that “it’s not too late to get your flu shot.”
In the case of H3N2, she said: “Even a small measure of cross protection can protect against complications such as pneumonia, hospitalization and death.”
She is also urging members of the community to be vigilante about hand-washing and protecting themselves against the spread of the flu, especially this time of year when more people travel and socialize.
“After Christmas cases our number of cases will rocket up because of the social mixing and travel,” she added.
The flu shot is available at doctors’ offices and 170 pharmacies across the city. A list of locations is available at ottawa.ca/flu.
The vaccine protects against H1N1 and H3N2 influenza A viruses and one or two influenza B strains.
It usually takes up to 14 days to get maximum protection after a flu shot, but antibody production begins immediately.
epayne@ottawacitizen.com
查看原文...
