21 flu-related deaths at IH care facilities, outbreaks in Trail and Castlegar

By Trail Champion

Influenza outbreaks are plaguing longterm care facilities in the Interior Health region, including ones in Castlegar and Trail, according to Pamela De Bruin, IH manager for Communicable Diseases and Immunization Programs.

“Between the beginning of the season and Jan. 3, 2017, residential care facilities in Interior Health have reported 21 deaths that may be related to influenza activity. It’s important to understand that our surveillance system attributes these deaths to influenza because they occurred at a residential care facility where influenza activity was present, and is a likely cause of or contributor to death,” De Bruin said. “This compares to zero possibly flu-related deaths in care facilities over the same time period in 2015/16, and seven in 2014/15. This season, an H3N2 kind of influenza virus is circulating which is especially harsh on the elderly. We expect to see more care facility outbreaks, hospitalizations and deaths overall during seasons when H3N2 is the dominant kind of influenza virus.”

None of the deaths reported have been in the Kootenay Boundary area.

“Ten of these deaths were in the Okanagan region, and 11 were in the Thompson-Cariboo-Shuswap. It is important to note that these numbers are not reported in real time, they are updated as information is received, and so there could be a delay between a death and when it is reported to the health authority,” De Bruin said. “Please note that this information is not indicative of what is happening in the community, as the data is specific to residential care facilities.”

De Bruin added that, as of today, we had 17 residential care facilities experiencing influenza outbreaks, including Poplar Ridge in Trail and Talarico Place in Castlegar.

“Our last report of confirmed lab influenza cases goes from the start of influenza season Sept. 4 until Dec. 31, 2016. It shows 122 lab confirmed influenza cases across IH – seven of those are in the Kootenay Boundary (and 14 in the East Kootenay),” she said. “It is important to note that laboratory confirmed influenza cases may not represent the true burden of influenza in the community.”

IHA communications officer Karl Hardt said this is important information for anyone visiting a loved one at a care facility – be sure to meticulously wash your hands, and wear a mask if you’re feeling poorly or haven’t had a flu shot. Extra care and attention to preventative measures may protect residents from outside viruses, and also reduce the chances of visitors becoming infected and taking the flu virus to the community at large.