The Grey Bruce Health Unit has confirmed with Bayshore Broadcasting News they’ve found Influenza B in a local Owen Sound resident.
Karen Sweiger — the Manager of the Infectious Diseases Program — tells us they received laboratory results with the confirmation.
Sweiger says the Health Unit is now alerting area health care practitioners to test for Influenza B in any individuals experiencing flu symptoms.
Sweiger says around the province there is increased influenza activity this month.
She says they have 30 laboratory confirmed influenza cases reported in the first week of January alone.
Compare that to just 78 confirmed cases from September 1, 2011 to January 7, 2012.
Sweiger encourages residents in Grey Bruce to be diligent washing your hands as the influenza virus can survive on unwashed hands for 5 minutes.
She also notes that the virus survives on tissues or clothing for 8-10 hours and on hard surfaces such as telephones and computer keyboards for 2 days.
It is not too late to get a flu shot, with the Vaccine available by appointment at Grey Bruce Health Unit clinics in Owen Sound, Walkerton or The Plex in Port Elgin.
For further information call Public Health at 519-376-9420 or 1-800-263-3456 or visit our website at www.publichealthgreybruce.on.ca
