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Two flu deaths in Central Alberta

Two of the province’s 23 flu-related deaths have occurred in Central Alberta as the flu season has almost reached its peak.

Two of the province’s 23 flu-related deaths have occurred in Central Alberta as the flu season has almost reached its peak.

According to statistics released on Thursday, the Central Alberta deaths were recorded between Dec. 13 and Jan. 3.

Last flu season, AHS Central Zone had a total of two deaths out of 30 across Alberta.

Dr. James Talbot, Alberta’s chief medical officer of health, said of those 23 deaths this season, about 20 have been over the age of 65.

“So far it’s tracking to be a fairly ordinary influenza season, however it is hitting older people significantly harder than it did last year,” said Talbot at a press conference in Edmonton. The flu season started about three week earlier than last season.

So far, there have been 124 outbreaks in long-term care or supportive-living facilities compared to 25 last season.

The rate of lab-confirmed cases for people over the age of 80 is also four times higher than last year.

Talbot said the season has been tough on seniors for two reasons — the dominant strain this year, influenza A H3N2, is known to impact the elderly more, and the H3N2 in the flu vaccine is only a partial match so it offers less protection.

He said staff in long-term care facilities routinely have an immunization rate above 90 per cent.

“What would be a bit of a tragedy this year is even if the staff were immunized at a 90 per cent level, because it’s only a partial match, they might still be capable of transmitting the disease.”

He said two years ago, the last time H3N2 was dominant, there were 90 outbreaks in continuing care. Flu-related deaths for that season reached 37 in Alberta.

The average death rate for the flu is between 30 and 40.

Talbot praised Albertans for achieving an immunization rate of 29 per cent for the general population.

“That is a 31 per cent increase over the same time last year so that’s a significant increase,” Talbot said.

Flu cases in Central Alberta are now at 338, out of the 2,696 confirmed provincially.

So far, 19 people in Central Zone have been admitted to hospital with the flu. A total of 390 people have been hospitalized in Alberta.

Dr. Digby Horne, medical officer of health for AHS Central Zone, said the increase in hospitalizations is coinciding with the flu peak.

He warned immunization is still available and a good idea.

“Thus far, it’s been primarily the influenza A H3N2 strain, but typically influenza B picks up later in the season and there have been a few cases of Influenza B lately,” Horne said.

szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com