Shiloh
Editor, Senior Moderator
Source: http://www.thespec.com/news/local/a...es-and-outbreaks-follow-low-flu-shot-turnouts
Early cases and outbreaks follow low flu shot turnouts
Six flu outbreaks have been declared since Wednesday at several institutions across Hamilton, coming at a time when flu vaccine use is at its lowest in five years.
One of the outbreaks is on a Juravinski Hospital ward involving four cases. The others are in two nursing homes and three residential care facilities that public health officials did not name.
There has been one related death ? of an elderly man in a retirement home, said associate medical officer of health Dr. Chris Mackie.
The outbreaks are relatively small, with a range of four to 10 cases each, but come at an earlier time of year than usual, according to Mackie.
Hamilton has had 47 laboratory-confirmed flu cases, including those in the outbreaks, between Dec. 25 and 31, Mackie said, adding that normally, there are only one or two such cases over this time period...
Early cases and outbreaks follow low flu shot turnouts
Six flu outbreaks have been declared since Wednesday at several institutions across Hamilton, coming at a time when flu vaccine use is at its lowest in five years.
One of the outbreaks is on a Juravinski Hospital ward involving four cases. The others are in two nursing homes and three residential care facilities that public health officials did not name.
There has been one related death ? of an elderly man in a retirement home, said associate medical officer of health Dr. Chris Mackie.
The outbreaks are relatively small, with a range of four to 10 cases each, but come at an earlier time of year than usual, according to Mackie.
Hamilton has had 47 laboratory-confirmed flu cases, including those in the outbreaks, between Dec. 25 and 31, Mackie said, adding that normally, there are only one or two such cases over this time period...