[BC省新聞] Double whammy of severe flu strain and norovirus hits B.C. expected

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Double whammy of severe flu strain and norovirus hits B.C.




Read more: http://www.vancouversun.com/health/Double+whammy+severe+strain+norovirus+hits/7773288/story.html#ixzz2H1L26EZR
A particularly nasty form of influenza is spiking in B.C. at the same time as the worst norovirus outbreak in six years is hitting the province.
The influenza outbreak, which is expected to get worse, means people who haven’t yet had a flu shot — especially those in high-risk groups — should immediately do so, says the BC Centre for Disease Control.
“It’s moving up now, but I don’t think we’ve peaked,” said Dr. Danuta Skowronski, an epidemiologist and the centre’s influenza lead, on Thursday. “It’s not too late to be vaccinated.”
Skowronski said an H3N2 sub-type virus – typically more severe than other types of influenza viruses — showed up early this flu season and gained strength in B.C. over the Christmas holidays, with the increased social mixing that involves.
“We’re watching this very carefully,” she said of the virus, which typically develops suddenly with fever and a cough. “You feel like you’ve been hit by a truck.”
Skowronski noted influenza is different from norovirus, which can cause vomiting and diarrhea. It has so far affected two Metro Vancouver hospitals.
Fraser Health Authority medical health officer Elizabeth Brodkin said a new norovirus strain — first discovered in Sydney, Australia — has cropped up this winter.
“We see norovirus every winter, but this year is worse than usual because a new strain has emerged that people aren’t immune to yet,” she said in an interview.
Provincial Health Services Authority coordinator Natalie Prystajecky said B.C. saw 25 norovirus outbreaks last month — double the number from December 2011, and the worst December since 2006. An “outbreak” is classified as three or more reported cases.
“Norovirus typically has epidemic years when new strains emerge, and that’s what we’re seeing here,” she said, noting the U.K. and Europe are experiencing similar outbreaks. “It’s not related to weather or anything like that. It’s just a global phenomenon.”
As for the influenza outbreak, the latest numbers released by the disease control centre late Thursday showed the illness began to spike as B.C. entered the Dec. 16-29 holiday period.
Skowronski said the numbers showed medical visits were above average for the two-week period compared to most of the previous 10 flu seasons.
“Consultations for influenza-like illness at BC Children’s Hospital emergency room also increased sharply compared to prior weeks, higher also than recent seasons,” the report stated.
It noted there were seven laboratory-confirmed outbreaks in long-term care facilities during the two-week period, “which represents nearly half of the total tally to date for the season.”
Skowronski said that means the flu is spiking. “It’s a signal to us that it’s intense now.”
The report said that at BC Children’s Hospital, in the final two weeks of the year, 14.2 per cent and 22.2 per cent of visits to the emergency room were attributed to “fever and cough” or flu-like illness. “The rate in week 52 increased sharply to above that of recent prior seasons,” it added.
Skowronski said the vaccine carries protection for three types of flu virus, including the H3N2 sub-type, but that nothing’s 100-per-cent effective. “It’s in the vaccine, but the virus is constantly changing. It might not be a perfect match, but it will still reduce your risk.”
She noted the flu season in B.C. typically lasts from November to the end of April, and peaks in January or February.
She said children returning to school could facilitate its spread.
“They’re more susceptible,” Skowronski noted. “They have much richer social networks, so they mix more with peer groups. So, they can amplify the spread in the community.”
Skowronski also said that elderly people, and people with heart and lung conditions or weakened immune systems – cancer patients, for example – should see their doctor about getting anti-viral treatment if they start showing flu symptoms.
Meanwhile, New Westminster’s Royal Columbian Hospital and Vancouver General Hospital have both been dealing with norovirus outbreaks.

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The Royal Columbian on Thursday reopened an acute care unit closed last week after 12 patients and six staff members became ill with the virus.

But a general medicine unit at RCH remains closed because some patients still have norovirus symptoms — which include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea and stomach cramps.

Vancouver General Hospital has established a “containment protocol” in two hospital areas where patients have contracted the virus.

Vancouver Coastal Health representative Anna Marie D’Angelo said the seventh floor of the Centennial Pavilion and three floors of the Banfield Pavilion residential facility at VGH are under containment protocol to prevent a further spread of the virus.

She said nobody is being moved in or out of those areas until everyone has been symptom-free for at least 48 hours. Visits to those areas are being discouraged.

Brodkin said hospital rooms with norovirus-infected patients are typically cleaned twice a day with bleach and staffers assigned to patients with symptoms keep away from patients who are not infected.

“There is norovirus everywhere in the community, so there are patients with it at all of our facilities,” she said.

Brodkin said norovirus is a very unpleasant but short-lived and typically mild illness that people usually get over within a couple of days.

Prystajecky stressed there’s no cause for alarm as most people fully recover from the virus after one or two days.

“The best way to prevent infection is to wash your hands all the time, and soap and water is the best,” Prystajecky said. “Hand sanitizers are OK, but not as effective.

“It’s also very important to stay away from work if you have it, especially if you work in health care or handle food or interact with the elderly and the young.”

Provincial Health Services Authority coordinator Natalie Prystajecky says the best protection from the current norovirus outbreak is washing your hands with soap and water. B.C. saw 25 norovirus outbreaks last month, the worst December since 2006.
PHSA research scientist Natalie Prystajecky washes her hands in Vancouver, B.C., Jan 03, 2013.

satil

死火，剛剛中咗flu，無咁啱下話！