Flu immunization program wraps up in Alberta

Flu statistics highlight urgent issue New numbers about influenza in Alberta are painting a grim picture of the illness in Alberta. Shaun Frenette had details.

Officials say the 2017-2018 immunization program is over in the province but they are still concerned over some startling statistics that have been recorded regarding influenza.

According to the Alberta Health Service’s weekly report, 88 Albertans have died from lab-confirmed influenza between August 28, 2017 and March 31, 2018.

30 of those deaths have been in the Calgary Zone and seven others have been in the South Zone.

More than 8,700 cases of lab-confirmed Influenza A and Influenza B have been confirmed by health officials.

The numbers are startling, especially considering that seasonal influenza is suspected to be the cause of death of a four-month-old girl on the Stoney Nakoda First Nation on Wednesday.

Dr. Neil Rau, an infectious disease expert, says that further testing is still being done in that case but the signs of illness do point towards influenza.

“Everyone is being described as being ill at the same time but maybe some people had an onset of their illness before others, sort of a passage of flu from one person to another rather than everyone getting sick at once.”

He says it is very typical for the worst outcome to be with the youngest and therefore most vulnerable person in the home.

While the official program is over, the vaccine is still being made available to eligible children through Public Health offices up to and including April 30, 2018.

Concerned Albertans can schedule appointments by e-mailing [e-mail].