NWT chief public health officer issues advisory over Dehcho flu

The NWT’s chief public health officer has issued an advisory over “significantly increased influenza activity” in the Dehcho region.

In a Thursday press release, the office of Dr Kami Kandola said a “significant spike” of influenza A and B had been found in Fort Simpson’s wastewater.

Influenza A is typically more common in the fall and early winter, while influenza B is usually seen more in the late winter and spring.

Prior to January, most cases of the flu had been identified as influenza A. Earlier this month, Dr Kandola’s office stated, there has been an increase in both influenza A and B.

Of the 20 flu cases reported in the past week across the Northwest Territories, 14 were identified in people living in the Dehcho.

Before that, there had only been two cases reported from the Dehcho this flu season.

Kandola’s office stated more residents have reported flu-like symptoms but have not been tested.

On Thursday morning, the NWT’s health authority told Cabin Radio there had been 28 reported cases of influenza in the NWT this season up to January 25, which the authority said was “significantly lower than the 218 cases reported during the same period last season.”

The health authority did note that the number of cases has started to climb in recent weeks.

“Respiratory viruses such as influenza can lead to secondary illnesses such as strep throat, ear infections and pneumonia,” read Thursday’s news release, adding that Kandola’s office had noted an increased number of pneumonia deaths this season.

To reduce the risk of illness, the office recommended you get your flu shot if you haven’t yet done so, consider using antiviral medication if you develop symptoms, stay home while sick, cover your mouth when coughing or sneezing, and wash your hands frequently.

The flu vaccination rate is at 17 percent this season, lower but comparable to last season’s 19 percent among eligible residents, according to an NWT health authority spokesperson.

The advisory comes after Melanie Menacho, Chief of Tthets’éhk’edélî First Nation, told the CBC last week a respiratory virus had been circulating in Jean Marie River.

While authorities have confirmed a man passed away in the community on January 14, the cause of that death has not yet been determined.

The NWT coroner’s office has said it is conducting an investigation into the death.