Calgary has had more cases flu this year than the rest of Alberta combined

Nov 3 2017, 11:32 pm

The flu has come for Calgary with a vengeance.

According to statistics from Alberta Health Services (AHS), as of November 2, Calgary alone has seen 181 laboratory-confirmed cases of the flu this season.

In total, Alberta has seen 300 confirmed cases of the flu, most being of the influenza A strain.

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2017/2018 Influenza Season Statistics (Alberta Health Services)

“It’s important to remember the influenza disease data we capture in our weekly updates is considered a mere fraction of the influenza activity that is actually impacting our friends, loved ones and neighbours,” said Dr. Gerry Predy, AHS’ Senior Medical Officer of Health, in a release from AHS.

“Not all cases of influenza are lab-confirmed and not all cases require hospitalization; however, by consistently sharing the influenza disease information that we do capture, we are still ensuring Albertans understand the stark reality of influenza.”

To date this season, there have been three deaths in Alberta of people who had a confirmed case of influenza, two of whom died in Calgary.

According to the statistics, 157,543 Calgarians have gotten their flu shot so far this year, amounting to little more than 10% of the total population. Predy said that getting the shot is important not just for your own health, but for those around you.

“The message we must all take away is simple: get immunized. This will protect yourself, your family, and our communities.”

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