The latest flu season report from the Saskatchewan government shows it is in full swing across the province. The most recent numbers, which cover the week of January 11th, show the flu is being blamed for five deaths in the province since September of last year, and 16 ICU admissions. There have also been 30 documented cases of a flu outbreak in long term care facilities.

Speaking with the media late last week, the province’s Chief Medical Health Officer, Dr. Saqib Shahab, stated the majority of the deaths caused by the flu this year involved people with underlying health conditions. Three of those who succumbed to the flu were seniors, while the other two were working-age adults.

This year, A and B strains of influenza are making their way around the province. Dr. Shahab explained this isn’t what we normally see.

"This is a unique season, wherein North America they're seeing both B and transmitting at the same time," Dr. Shahab elaborated. "For us in Saskatchewan, about a quarter of our lab isolations are B, and three-fourths are A. But in other parts of Canada, they're seeing almost equal amounts of A and B."

This year, A and B strains of the flu are covered by the annual vaccine.

Dr. Shahab pointed out vaccination rates are up in Saskatchewan across all age groups, but particularly for seniors. The number of children getting the flu vaccine is also trending up.

For those who start to experience flu-like symptoms, Shahab recommends avoiding hospitals and long term care facilities. He also recommends using hand sanitizer and avoid touching the face, in case someone is carrying the virus, but isn’t experiencing symptoms.