Will the flu make a comeback this season?
The flu was almost a non issue a year ago, but one infectious disease doctor believes it may have been an anomaly.
“People were wearing masks, people were staying home, probably the best hand hygiene we’ve ever seen in Canada ever,” says Dr. Isaac Bogoch, an infectious disease specialist.
During the 2020-2021 flu season, the Public Health Agency of Canada reported 79 lab confirmed cases of influenza, compared to 54,000 the previous year.
“The flu is a very serious viral infection. It kills about 3,500 Canadians in a typical year.”
Bogoch believes flu cases will rise from a year ago.
“We are going back to work though, kids are back in school. There are more options for viruses to be transmitted but there are public health measures in place as well.”
Bogoch tells CTV News the best way to defend yourself against influenza is by getting the flu shot.
“Flu shots are good, of course they’re not perfect. It’s a very significant layer of protection that reduces the risk of getting influenza.”
The flu shot is typically available by mid October and residents should still get it even if they’ve received a COVID-19 vaccine.
“People have receive other vaccinations this year in addition to their COVID-19 vaccine all sorts of vaccines,” says Bogoch.
According to one local pharmacist, symptoms of the flu and COVID-19 are similar and residents should speak to a health provider.
“You’re gonna wanna look for fever, cough would be the biggest ones and just feeling under the weather,” says Sebastiano Di Pietro.
“One of the biggest myths about the flu vaccine that if I’m young and healthy, I don’t need to get it. It’s important for everyone to get the vaccine."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
McGill University seeks emergency injunction to dismantle pro-Palestinian encampment
McGill University has filed a request for an injunction to have the pro-Palestinian encampment removed from its campus.
'State or state-sponsored actor' believed to be behind B.C. government hacks
The head of British Columbia’s civil service has revealed that a “state or state-sponsored actor” is behind multiple cyber-security incidents against provincial government networks.
Spectacular aurora light show to be seen across Canada Friday night
A rare and severe solar storm is expected to bring spectacular displays of the northern lights, also known as aurora borealis, across much of Canada and parts of the United States on Friday night.
Which Canadian cities have the highest and lowest grocery prices?
Where you live plays a big factor in what you pay at the grocery store. And while it's no secret the same item may have a different price depending on the store, city or province, we wanted to see just how big the differences are, and why.
Swarm of 20,000 bees gather around woman’s car west of Toronto
A swarm of roughly 20,000 bees gathered around a woman’s car in the parking lot of Burlington Centre.
U.S. says Israel's use of U.S. arms likely violated international law, but evidence is incomplete
The Biden administration said Israel's use of U.S.-provided weapons in Gaza likely violated international humanitarian law but wartime conditions prevented U.S. officials from determining that for certain in specific airstrikes.
Barron Trump declines to serve as an RNC delegate
Former U.S. President Donald Trump's youngest son, Barron Trump, has declined to serve as a delegate at this summer’s Republican National Convention, according to a senior Trump campaign adviser and a statement from Melania Trump's office.
Mother assaulted by stranger while breastfeeding baby in her car: Vancouver police
A person was arrested in East Vancouver Thursday after allegedly entering a car while a mother was breastfeeding her four-month-old boy.
'We have laws': Premier Smith says police action justified in Calgary
The actions, including the decision to use non-lethal force, to disperse pro-Palestinian protesters from the University of Calgary campus were justified, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith said Friday.