Kids hit harder than adults this flu season in Manitoba

Young children are suffering the most from the flu this year in Manitoba, with 30 per cent of all cases hitting kids under age four, according to Manitoba Health.

Overall, people under age 15 are being affected more than the older population, the province said.

Dr. Bunmi Fatoye, medical health officer for the Winnipeg Regional Health Authority, said this season's version of flu can present with the typical aches and pains of a usual flu, but children may show other symptoms.

"Sometimes kids do not present that way. They may present more with vomiting, diarrhea — so it could be a combination of any of those symptom," she said.

In total, the Manitoba government confirms that five adults, aged 55-65, died from flu-related causes between mid-November and late December of 2018. The patients were admitted to WRHA hospitals from different regions, all with H1N1 — a subtype of the influenza A virus.

The province's most recent statistics show there have been 512 laboratory-confirmed cases of influenza A in Manitoba, the most common flu virus in Canada, since Sept 1, along with a couple of influenza B cases.

The majority of reported flu cases are the H1N1 strain of influenza A, according to the province.

Of all 514 reported flu cases since Sept. 1, 2018:

• The majority have been in the Winnipeg health region, with 183 reported cases.
• The Northern health region reported 112 cases.
• The Southern and Prairie Mountain health regions each reported 85 cases.
• The other 49 cases were in the Interlake-Eastern health region.
• Ninety-three people have required hospitalization.
• Sixteen have been admitted to intensive care units.
• There have been five flu-related deaths.

While the rate of occurrence​ is starting to slide and the impact to long-term care facilities has been low compared to last season, the number of respiratory visits to the emergency room at Winnipeg's Children's Hospital has increased in the last five weeks, statistics show.

Just 20 per cent of the province received the seasonal flu vaccine, Manitoba Health said.

According to Fatoye, it's still not too late to get vaccinated.

"The reason why we advocate to get shots is to avoid complications with the influenza, we expect it, but it can be avoided," she said.

"We do expect the season to go on for a couple more months, so we encourage people to get their shots."