Increased number of flu cases prompts warning from GNWT
Yellowknife, N.W.T. - The Department of Health and Social
Services is putting the word out about an increased number of
flu cases in Yellowknife and Hay River. It's being described as
a strain of Influenza A, the most common form of the flu virus,
and it's believed that it came into the area from people who
have returned from March Break vacations. The department's
communicable disease specialist Wanda White said this outbreak
is a little later than normal. "We usually see flu activity
around Christmas, post-people coming back from Christmas
holiday, but this year flu is really late across the country."
According to White, most of the activity in the southern
regions, such as Alberta and British Columbia, began about a
month ago and she expects it will escalate quite a bit in the
coming weeks. As with any flu virus, White said people should
stay home if they have symptoms. "Unless you have people who are
very vulnerable, cause you know, we see upwards of