Influenza widespread in Simcoe Muskoka

Simcoe Muskoka Medical Officer of Health Dr. Charles Gardner has issued a declaration of widespread influenza activity in Simcoe Muskoka, saying we are at or near the peak of influenza activity in our region, which can last for two to four weeks.

With influenza now widespread in the community, the general public should be even more vigilant in protecting themselves against influenza.

Ensure the entire family is vaccinated annually against the flu.

Other prevention measures include frequent hand washing,staying home and avoiding contact with other people when ill; and practising good sleep and nutrition habits.

Call your doctor or health care provider if: you don’t start to feel better after a few days; your symptoms get worse; you have medical conditions and develop flu symptoms.

You can also call Telehealth at 1-866-797-0000 to talk to a registered nurse 24 hours a day, seven days a week.

The formal declaration of widespread activity is based on information obtained through monitoring of hospital emergency department visits, lab-confirmed cases of influenza, institutional outbreaks and physician reports of fever and flu-like illness.

When the declaration is made, the health unit notifies the Ministry of Health and Long-Term Care and Public Health Ontario and health care partners of the local situation. Some health care organizations use this declaration to implement additional strategies to further control the spread of influenza, particularly within health care facilities.

More information about influenza is available on the health unit’s website at www.simcoemuskokahealth.org, or by calling Health Connection at 705-721-7520 or 1- 877-721-7520 weekdays, from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.