First regional case of influenza confirmed

Limestone Learning Foundation
First regional case of influenza confirmed
Posted on 12/14/2018
Image of flu season signOur partners at KFL&A Public Health has received laboratory confirmation of the first case of Influenza A for the 2018-2019 season.

This information is being shared with families and staff in Limestone so that you will be able to protect yourself and your family to the greatest degree possible.

Influenza causes mild to severe illness and can lead to serious health complications, even in healthy children and adults. Immunization is the best way to prevent influenza. The influenza vaccine (flu shot) is available free of charge to anyone in Ontario over the age of six months.

Families are encouraged to contact their family physician or local pharmacy to obtain the influenza vaccine if your family has not yet been immunized. Even in years when there is a strain mismatch, the
flu vaccine will still offer some protection.

Next to immunization, the single most important way to prevent the spread of infection is to clean hands often with soap and water or alcohol-based hand sanitizers. Alcohol-based hand sanitizers should only be used for children if they are assisted and should be stored out of reach of young children.

The symptoms of influenza include fever (greater than 38.0C/100.4 F), dry cough, chills, headache, muscle aches, loss of appetite, sore throat, and runny nose. Young children may also experience nausea and vomiting with the above symptoms.

Adults with influenza may be infectious for five days after the onset of their symptoms whereas children may be infectious for up to seven days. If you or your child have symptoms of influenza, it is important to stay home during the infectious period to avoid spreading the illness to others.

For more information on influenza activity in our area, go to our ILI Mapper application.

The Limestone District School Board is situated on traditional territories of the Anishinaabe & Haudenosaunee.