H1N1 activity slows, warnings against false sense of security

BY KIRK STARRATT

Kings County Advertiser

The numbers of people attending emergency rooms and walk-in clinics with flu-like illness is decreasing across the health district, but a physician with Annapolis Valley Health says don’t develop a false sense of security.

Dr. Lynn Harrigan says, over the past week, cases have decreased: but it’s not the whole story.

An education campaign unfolding across the province, with mailouts to every home and sent home with school children, may be making a difference. Perhaps people are reading the information and staying home with symptoms. Also, officials aren’t monitoring people going to doctors’ offices.

However, Harrigan says flu activity is alive and well, and offials aren’t certain what exactly is accounting for the decreased visitation. “Normally, we see seasonal influenza in December, January and February,” Harrigan says. “To see it in October and November is a bit of a concern for us.”

AVH could continue to see cases, or the numbers may dwindle.

It’s important for people to remember to wash their hands frequently and get vaccinated, for both H1N1 and the seasonal flu shot. If they could vaccinate the majority of the population, Harrigan says health workers could make the flu season a non-event - something she’d like to see. “It’s the most effective way to protect yourself and your loved ones.”

Although it will take time to get everyone vaccinated, Harrigan says people shouldn’t hesitate, and there is now an adequate supply of the H1N1 vaccine for everyone in the province.

Annapolis Valley Health’s spokeswoman Tamara Gilley says AVH will continue to hold vaccination clinics into January. “Our number-one priority is to get everyone out and vaccinated,” she says.

In addition to the various H1N1 clinics, vaccine is available through most family physicians’ offices. If your child requires a second dosage, contact your family doctor. The second dose can only be given 21 days after the first vaccine.

Site quarantines lifted

Annapolis Valley Health reopened its facilities to visitors Nov. 24.

Visitor restrictions had been in place since Nov. 10 for the protection of patients against H1N1. AVH’s infection control team felt it was safe to reopen to visitors. People are reminded to not visit if they are ill or not feeling well. Use hand sanitizer upon entering facilities and leaving a patient’s room.

Across the province, H1N1 activity continues to be experienced. Information from the provincial Department of Health Promotion and Protection released Nov. 25 indicates, since the beginning of the 2009/ 2010 flu season, which runs from September 2009 to September 2010, the province has had 720 lab-confirmed H1N1 cases, 205 hospitalizations for H1N1 and four H1N1-related deaths. For the week of Nov. 15 to 21, there were 28 new hospitalizations of people with lab-confirmed H1N1.

Dr. Robert Strang, chief public health officer for the province, says everyone is at some risk of getting H1N1, including otherwise healthy people, who may come down with severe and debilitating symptoms. Getting immunized can prevent sickness safely and easily.

WEBLINKS

www.avdha.nshealth.ca

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Upcoming H1N1 clinics

Annapolis Valley Health’s upcoming H1N1 vaccine clinics for Nov. 27 to Dec. 5 will include: • Nov. 30 - Wolfville Festival Theatre, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. (registration ends at 6:30 p.m.) • Dec. 1 - Annapolis Royal fire hall, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. (registration ends at 6:30 p.m.) • Dec. 2 - Waterville and District fire hall, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. (registration ends at 6:30 p.m.) • Dec. 3 - New Minas United Church, 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. (registration ends at 6:30 p.m.) • Dec. 4 - NSCC COGS, Lawrencetown, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (registration ends at 3:30 p.m.) • Dec. 5 - Middleton Baptist Church, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (registration ends at 3:30 p.m.)

Officials advise clinic visitors long waits can be difficult, especially for pregnant women, seniors and young children.

Eat before you come to a clinic, be prepared to wait outside and consider bringing a snack and drink. People are reminded to bring their health card. There is no charge for the H1N1 vaccine. Do not come to the clinic if you are sick or have flu symptoms.