B.C.: Fraser Health declares flu outbreak a health hazard

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Source: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Fraser+Health+declares+outbreak+health+hazard/7823303/story.html

Fraser Health declares flu outbreak a health hazard
By Tiffany Crawford, Vancouver Sun January 15, 2013 2:02 PM


METRO VANCOUVER - Fraser Health has issued an alert declaring this season's flu a health hazard, with an outbreak of the virus and flu-related fatalities the highest in years.

Dr. Paul Van Buynder said 19 Fraser Health residential long-term care facilities have reported influenza outbreaks this year.

He said that is twice as many outbreaks as were reported in the whole of the last three years and emergency departments are at the highest level of flu-related visits in years..

 

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Re: B.C.: Fraser Health declares flu outbreak a health hazard

Fraser Health taking further steps to reduce spread of influenza

January 15, 2013
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SURREY ? Fraser Health?s Chief Medical Health Officer Dr. Paul Van Buynder has declared the current level of influenza (flu) virus circulating within Fraser Health communities a health hazard under the provisions of the Public Health Act, allowing for additional measures to be taken to safeguard the health and well-being of our most vulnerable community members.

Nineteen Fraser Health residential (long-term) care facilities have reported influenza outbreaks already this year, with significant consequences for residents. This is more than twice as many outbreaks as were reported each of the past two years. In addition, influenza-related visits to Fraser Health emergency departments are at the highest level seen in years

Effective immediately, all people attending a residential care or assisted living facility who have not received a flu shot this year, including staff, volunteers and visitors, will be required to wear a mask and practice stringent hand hygiene during their time at the facility.

Fraser Health is reminding visitors to avoid going to residential care and assisted living facilities if they are feeling unwell.

?We are asking our patients, visitors and staff to take these extra steps to protect their family members, patients, residents and loved ones from this highly contagious and serious virus,? said Dr. Van Buynder.

Quick facts:

• This flu season, we have already seen twice as many influenza outbreaks as the whole of each of the last three years.
• This flu season, we have already seen more than four times the number of flu-related hospitalizations from long-term care facilities than we do in a typical flu season.
• We have already seen more than three times the number of deaths associated with influenza among residents of residential care facilities than for the last three years combined.

More information

Refer to our Q and A about our enhanced preventative measures.

Haven't received your flu shot? Find a flu clinic near you.

http://www.fraserhealth.ca/about_us...g-further-steps-to-reduce-spread-of-influenza