New HPEPH dashboard will report confirmed cases of local respiratory illness
Hastings and Prince Edward Counties/Nov 2, 2022 –
As of November 1, influenza vaccinations are available to the general public. Local residents are urged to get the flu shot this year, to help reduce their risk of severe illness, and help protect their loved ones, the vulnerable, and the health care system.
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) has received laboratory confirmation of the first case of Influenza A for the 2022-23 flu season, reinforcing the expectation the virus is circulating in the community. A difficult respiratory virus season is expected this year due to lessened community immunity and out of date vaccination status. Influenza causes mild to severe illness and can lead to serious health complications, even in healthy children and adults. The influenza vaccine is available free of charge to anyone in Ontario over the age of six months.
“Getting an annual influenza vaccination and staying up to date with recommended COVID-19 boosters is the best and easiest way to protect yourself, your loved ones, the vulnerable, and our health care system this respiratory season,” says Dr. Ethan Toumishey, MOH and CEO at HPEPH. “Contact your local health care provider or a local pharmacy to get the flu shot as soon as possible, to help build your immunity before local rates of infection start to spike.”
New respiratory infection dashboard
To help improve awareness of the rates of local respiratory infections, HPEPH has launched a new dashboard to track and report confirmed respiratory infections and outbreaks in the region. The dashboard will be updated weekly on Tuesdays throughout respiratory virus season, and will track respiratory infections other than COVID-19 – which will continue to be reported on the COVID-19 dashboard.
The new dashboard will report confirmed cases of Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Enterovirus/Rhinovirus, and Parainfluenza identified in health care settings, as well as emergency department visits for influenza-like illnesses. It is important to note that, as the dashboard will only report cases that are tested and confirmed in the above-mentioned settings, it does not capture the full rate of infection circulating in the community. The dashboard is accessible at hpePublicHealth.ca/respiratory-update/.
How to protect yourself and others this season
With the knowledge that COVID-19, influenza, and other respiratory viruses are circulating in the community, residents are reminded to:
- Protect yourself and your family. Stay up-to-date with your COVID-19 and flu vaccines to reduce your risk. Wash your hands often.
- Protect the vulnerable. Stayhome when sick and wear a mask when recovering. These steps will limit the spread of colds, the flu, and COVID-19, protecting the vulnerable and the health care services that we all rely on.
- Protect our health care services. Do what you can to limit the spread of illness and reduce your risk of severe illness to help ensure our health care workers are available for those who need them most.
Find information about COVID-19 vaccination and upcoming clinics at hpePublicHealth.ca/vaccine-booking/.
Find information about flu vaccination at ontario.ca/page/flu-facts.
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Media contacts
Emily Tubbs, Communications Specialist
etubbs@hpeph.ca
Maureen Hyland, Communications Specialist
hyland.maureen@hpeph.ca
About Hastings Prince Edward Public Health
Hastings Prince Edward Public Health (HPEPH) is a public health agency that serves the counties of Hastings and Prince Edward from four local offices. HPEPH is situated and provides services on the traditional territory of the Anishinaabe, Huron-Wendat and Haudenosaunee people. We monitor the health of our local population, deliver programs and services within our communities, and help develop healthy public policies. We provide information and support in many areas to help improve the health and well-being of our residents. Together with our communities, we help people become as healthy as they can be. For more information, please visit hpePublicHealth.ca. You can also find us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter and Instagram.
