Castlegar Swine Flu cases waning, but complacency not recommended
By Kyra Hoggan
Castlegar’s most recent wave of Swine Flu (H1N1) has crested and is receding, but the pandemic isn’t over yet.
The city emergency ward, according to Cheryl Whittleton, team leader for emergency and flu coordinator for IHA, is still seeing an average one or two patients a day with flu-like symptoms – which means contagion is still an issue.
“We’re still seeing patients, but definitely not the volume we were seeing in October and November,” she said.
She said emergency officials are still being warned to brace for a third wave of the Swine Flu in coming weeks – but whether that wave actually breaks depends largely on greater Castlegar area residents. She explained that protecting ourselves now, through immunization and proper hygiene practices, has the potential to actually prevent a third wave of H1N1 – while widespread complacency could virtually guarantee another outbreak of this flu.
“People need to be aware, too, that this strain is hitting the younger generation – you have to be diligent in hand washing, vaccination, and so on,” she said. “The world has changed. Protecting yourself (from contagion) is more important than ever before.”
She added the original wave of H1N1 spread in virtual isolation, with few other viruses circulating, but that has changed – there are more bugs making the rounds and a seasonal flu wave is expected in the first months of 2010, so careful hygiene is just common sense.
Certainly, H1N1 is waning province-wide but has not yet disappeared, with 1,009 H1N1 hospitalizations since April and a death toll reaching 47 (40 of whom had pre-existing health conditions, five of whom did not, and two cases still under investigation), according to provincial health officer Dr. Perry Kendall. Of the 47 mortalities, 11 were recorded by the Interior Health Authority.
Kendall urged B.C. residents to get immunized before another wave of illness strikes.
Cheryl Yates, community manager for prevention services, said there are more clinics scheduled for the region this week, while next week, due to reduced demand, clinics will be set up on an appointment basis.Castlegar residents can call 250-365-4310 for more information or to book an appointment.
“Certainly, the experts are predicting another wave sometime in the New Year, but I’d recommend coming out (to one of the clinics) now,” she said, explaining wait times will be shorter, and the shot needs 10 days to take effect, so early action is the best defense should another wave of H1N1 roll through Castlegar.
She said the H1N1 vaccine, like the seasonal flu shot, has a limited window of efficacy, so if Swine Flu is still around for the winter of 2010/11, another vaccination campaign will likely be necessary.
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