Quiet flu season for West Hants -- so far

By Jennifer Hoegg

The Hants Hournal/NovaNewsNow.com

Windsor is enjoying a “very quiet flu season,” says Dr. Gaynor Watson-Creed, Medical Officer of Health for the Capital Health District.

There has only been one lab-confirmed case of influenza virus in Nova Scotia since September 2007, and it was not in the Windsor area. Dr. Watson-Creed notes that there may cases of influenza that have not been lab-confirmed or reported to Public Health

Reports of Norwalk virus are also low this year. “Norwalk virus in and of itself is not a reportable disease,” Watson-Creed said, unless there is a severe outbreak in a vulnerable population. Some Norwalk-type symptoms -- sudden onset diarrhea and vomiting -- have been seen in provincial hospitals, but there have been no large outbreaks.

Is the low rate of Influenza a result of a lack of the virus making the rounds or the province’s vaccination campaign? “Probably a combination of both” Watson-Creed said. “Our vaccination campaign probably has something to do with (the low rates. Vaccination) limits the ability of the virus to transmit.”

Nova Scotia provides free influenza vaccines to all residents at higher risk of complications and hospitalization from the virus.

These high risk groups include seniors, people with ongoing respiratory or heart problems, with suppressed immune systems or metabolic disorders, those in long term care facilities, children six to 35 months of age, and pregnant women.

Public Health also encourages health care workers and family members of people at higher risk to get vaccinated. Fewer than two percent of those vaccinated report side effects.

Hand washing and general good hygiene -- including covering coughs and sneezes -- are also important in combating viruses like influenza.

Healthy eating, exercise and stress reduction also help counteract colds and ‘flu.