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THURSDAY
Thursday, January 9, 2014 X Volume 27 No. 3
Kamloops, B.C., Canada X 30 cents at Newsstands
THIS WEEK
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Death in Interior linked to H1N1 Alberta has recorded nine flu deaths and 1,189 cases linked to the virus By Dale Bass STAFF REPORTER dale@kamloopsthisweek.com
An Okanagan woman has died and the death is being attributed to the H1N1 flu. While the Interior Health Authority (IHA) has not released details, citing privacy issues for the family of the woman, some media have been reporting the woman was 59 and died on Dec. 29 in Vernon Jubilee Hospital. It is the first H1N1-related death in the Interior. The death of a Vancouver Island woman last month has also been linked to the flu virus, along with other medical factors. A third death in the Lower Mainland is being investigated for any link to the virus, but there has been no confirmation. IHA medical-health officer Dr. Rob Parker said he expects the peak of flu cases will occur in the next two or three weeks, noting it is those between the ages of 20 and 65 who are getting hit hardest. Parker said the IHA is taking its cues from how the flu has gone through Alberta which, as of Tuesday, Jan. 7, has seen nine deaths and 1,335 confirmed cases of the flu — 1,189 of them the H1N1 virus. Seventy people are in intensive-care units in hospitals, another 218 are in medical wards. Edmonton has 503 cases and Calgary has 437. In the Thompson-Cariboo-Shuswap region, there have been 14 confirmed cases of H1N1, but there are likely many more, the IHA reports. This is because most people will not go to the doctor and prefer to wait
it out and many doctors won’t send patients to be tested. Parker said people die from the flu every year, but noted H1N1-virus cases continue to garner more media attention because of the 2009 outbreak of the virus, which led the World Health Organization to declare it a pandemic. Flu-related deaths usually occur because of secondary infections, pneumonia or heart failure that flow from the presence of the virus, leaving the body weaker and more vulnerable, Parker said. This is particularly true if a chronic condition already exists, which is why those people are included in the category who can get a flu shot for free. He said an indicator of what the impact of the virus will be in B.C. should come soon, now that schools are back in session. Younger children don’t have as much immunity and, if they haven’t received the flu shot regularly, could be more susceptible. Parker said he wouldn’t be surprised to see an outbreak occur within the senior sector, as well, although they represent a population that has likely been exposed to the virus frequently and tend to be more diligent about getting annual flu shots. Parker said getting an annual shot doesn’t provide complete protection. “But, even if you get the shot and you get the flu, the risks are much less. You tend to recover quicker. “I always say getting the flu shot is like putting snow tires on in the winter. You just do it.” More information is available by calling the 811 health line or going online to immunizebc.ca.
CAT IN THE HAT KNOWS ALL ABOUT THAT Literacy in Kamloops (LinK) literacy outreach co-ordinator Fiona Clare visits Cindy Twamley’s Grade 1/2 classroom at Dufferin elementary this week to promote Unplug and Play Family Literacy Week, which will take place from Jan. 20 to 27. Lending a helping hand to read a popular Dr. Suess story is the Cat in the Hat himself. Students Alaa Shaladan (second from left), Avrie Aulin, Mahleah Flack, Cloe Rupert and Quinn Shiels get an up-close look. Cat in the Hat is visiting area schools to promote Heap the Honda event in Kamloops, which sees books donated at Kamloops Honda and other locations. Go online to literacyinkamloops.com for more information. Dave Eagles/KTW
Building Bridges for Lymphedema Patients Coming Soon
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Informational articles on Lymphedema
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