Flu numbers may be levelling off, but shots still needed: officials

Calgary’s flu season isn’t over yet, the city’s medical officer of health says, as the latest numbers from Alberta Health Services show 1,897 confirmed cases of influenza A in the region so far.

Dr. Jia Hu said while the number of cases peaked in Calgary in November, it’s still possible for another rise in cases this season.

“I certainly hope we’ve passed the worst of flu season in Calgary,” Hu said. “The number of cases peaked in Calgary around mid-November and now they’re quite a bit lower.

“That being said, sometimes we can see ... a peak early on but a peak later on, perhaps a different flu strain. It is a bit unpredictable, which is why it is very important for people to get the flu shot if they haven’t got it already.”

A weekly report released by AHS indicates Edmonton has seen 885 cases, there have been 1,082 cases recorded in the northern part of the province, 569 cases have been counted in the central zone, and just 269 cases have so far been recorded in the south zone.

A total of eight Calgarians with influenza have died. In Edmonton, there have been five deaths, the AHS central zone has seen six, and there has been one death recorded in the AHS north zone.

Hu said the prevalent flu strain this year has been H1N1, which can affect younger people.

As of Jan. 5, 507,028 doses of flu vaccine had been administered in Calgary, and 403,233 doses in Edmonton.