Alberta Health Services is urging residents to mitigate the spread of respiratory illnesses. (Photo: Pattison Media)

By David Opinko

Albertans urged to be cautious as respiratory illnesses on the rise

Nov 16, 2022 | 3:54 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Alberta’s new Chief Medical Officer of Health is asking residents to do their part to mitigate the spread of respiratory viruses.

Dr. Mark Joffe says flu season has arrived and early numbers are showing an increase in infections such as influenza, Respiratory Syncytial Virus (RSV), and COVID-19.

“Winter is historically the peak season for respiratory infections,” says Joffe. “Like other jurisdictions, Alberta is seeing an early rise in seasonal infections including influenza, RSV, and COVID-19, and is expecting a severe season.”

He says the flu season in Australia is often used as an indicator to predict how things will play out in Canada. According to Joffe, Australia experienced high rates of infection this year, and he is expecting similar outcomes in Alberta.

Joffe says the highest rates of influenza in Australia were in children and teenagers.

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“While most children, youth and adults recover from the flu without complications, some can get very sick and need to be treated in hospital.”

So far this year, Alberta Health Services (AHS) reports 891 lab-confirmed cases of seasonal influenza in Alberta, resulting in 146 hospitalizations and 13 intensive care unit (ICU) admissions.

That includes 31 cases in the South Zone, eight hospitalizations, and one admission to ICU.

In a media release, AHS offered the following tips to help reduce the risk of respiratory illnesses:

• Stay home when feeling sick.
• Make the choice to stay up-to-date on your vaccinations, and speak to a physician or other care provider if you have questions about options.
• Wearing a well-fitting, high-quality mask can help reduce the risk of becoming sick and help protect others from being exposed. Albertans should be supported regardless of their choice to mask or not.
• If possible, avoid close contact with people who are sick.
• Regularly clean hands with alcohol-based hand sanitizer or wash hands with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
• Avoid touching eyes, nose or mouth with unwashed hands.
• Maintain good respiratory etiquette by covering coughs and sneezes.
• Avoid or limit time spent in crowded indoor places.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched surfaces and items at home, especially when someone in your home is sick.

Flu shots can be booked online at the Alberta Health Services website.

READ MORE: Doctor Mark Joffe named new chief medical officer of health for Alberta